Chinese and French officials and entrepreneurs discussed on Thursday cooperation in energy exploitation and sustainable development in a forum held in north China's Tianjin City.

 

The 12th China-France Economic Forum, with the theme of "energy and sustainable development", attracted about 400 government officials and company representatives from both China and France.

 

"China and France have great potential for cooperation in energy and sustainable development," said Wan Jifei, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

 

The forum provides a platform for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, as China boasts rich energy resources and France is experienced in resources exploration and use, Wan said at the forum.

 

Giscard d'Estaing, former president of France, said China and France have a wide range of areas for cooperation, such as aviation and energy.

 

China and France have cooperated in nuclear power for more than 20 years," he said, hoping for deeper cooperation in the construction of nuclear power plants.

 

The annual economic forum, which began in 1995, has become an important event in economic and trade cooperation between China and France.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2006)