BEIJING, Oct. 28(Xinhuanet)-- China and France are seeking closer economic cooperation through local government exchanges, especially at the first China-France forum on local governmental cooperation held on Thursday and Friday in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

During the two-day forum, sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), over 500 delegates from the two countries focused on friendship, cooperation, development and win-win goals. They discussed the topics of city environmental protection, construction, communication and local governmental cooperation.

Participants also signed a declaration of China-France local governmental cooperation at the end of the forum.

CPAFFC President Chen Haosu said the forum helps the two countries seek mutual benefits in economic cooperation and social development.

Brice Hortefeux, a ministerial level delegate from the French government, told He Luli, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, that it has become a common aspiration of the two governments and business circles to further cement the exchanges and cooperation between the local governments in a bid to promote the economic development of the two countries.

"The cooperation between local governments of France and China has broad prospects as it not only has sound basis in the fields of politics, education, science and technology, but also enjoys privilege in the economic field,"said Pierre Mauroy, former prime minister of France, who had focused on the France-China economic cooperation during his term.

At present, cooperation between Wuhan and France has expanded from the automobile industry to various sectors such as finance, hi-tech, commerce, petroleum, which makes Wuhan one of the Chinese cities that absorbs the most French investment. More than 10 giant French enterprises have set up branches in Wuhan.

Reports show that altogether 49 French cities have become"sister cities" of Chinese cities. The cooperation between Wuhan and the French city Bordeaux has won high assessment from the top leaders of the two countries, regarded as"a successful example of regional cooperation between China and France". Enditem