BEIJING, Nov 27, 2007 (AFP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday he did not fear technology transfers to China, speaking a day after Areva of France signed a landmark deal to deliver state-of-the-art nuclear reactors.

"In the nuclear field, we're going to create a joint venture. I'm not worried about technology transfer," Sarkozy told students at Beijing's elite Tsinghua University, referring to the Areva deal.

France would share its advanced technologies with China, forming the basis of a "win-win" situation, according to Sarkozy.

"France is not a customer, and it's a not a supplier either. It's a strategic partner," he said.

His comments stand in contrast to concerns expressed by other foreigners that their technology may be taken by a potential Chinese partner, and the foreign firm is then cut out of any future profits.

As in many high-tech industries such as aerospace and autos, China is intent on developing its own technologies so as not to be reliant on foreign companies and ensure it can cut costs.

Nuclear giant Areva announced Monday it had agreed to deliver two third-generation nuclear reactors to energy-hungry China as part of a package of deals worth eight billion euros (11.9 billion dollars).

Areva signed the reactors agreement with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC) in a ceremony in Beijing attended by Sarkozy and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.

It ended months of expectations that China would buy two European Pressurised water Reactors, or EPRs, from Areva. They will be delivered by the end of 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Areva also agreed to transfer third generation nuclear technology to CGNPC, which would market the equipment in China through a joint venture.