Chinese President Hu Jintao, second from left, is seen with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, second from right, Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Planning, Jean-Louis Borloo, left, Minister for the Economy, Finance and Employment, Christine Lagarde, fourth from left, and Minister for Justice Rachida Dati, fourth from right, as they attend a dinner at the Diaoyutai host residence in Beijing, yesterday. French President Nicolas Sarkozy began a visit to China yesterday expected to focus on economic ties with the Asian trading juggernaut.