Over 30 experts and officials from China and France gathered at a Beijing seminar Monday to discuss relations between China and France and that between China and Europe.

The two-day event will review the establishment and development of the China-France and China-Europe all-round partnership, and explore the opportunities and challenges of their relations. Participants have come from 10 universities, including China's Foreign Affairs College and France's Universite Paris-Sud, and also include government officials.

Organizers said the seminar was held at a time when China-France and China-Europe ties are at their best, and on the 40th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties. They hoped that academic exchanges would help expand common ground and enhance mutual understanding so as to promote the steady development of long-term relations.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, French Ambassador to China Jean-Pierre Lafon, and the Europe Union's Ambassador to China Klaus Ebermann attended the opening ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2003)