At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French Prime Minister, and Mr. Jean-François Copé, newly-elected Secretary-General of Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), the ruling party of France, visited Beijing, Chongqing and Hangzhou from 1 to 5 December 2010.

       In Beijing, Mr. Li Changchun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Mr. Li Keqiang, Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr. Chen Fengxiang, Vice Minister in charge of the International Department of CPC Central Committee, and Ambassador Yang Wenchang, President of CPIFA, met with Mr. Raffarin and Mr. Copé. The two sides exchanged views on Sino-French relations and cooperation between the CPC and the UMP. Mr. Raffarin and Mr. Copé also held talks with Mr. Lou Jiwei, Chairman of China Investment Corporation, and attended a luncheon seminar on Prospects of Sino-European Trade and Economic Relations organized by Boao Asia Forum. They held dialogue at China Foreign Affairs University with more than 300 students from 39 universities and delivered speeches on G20 and global governance reform. Mr. Raffarin launched his new book “What China Has Taught Us” (Chinese version), which is co-authored with his wife, Anne-Marie Raffarin.

       In Chongqing and Hangzhou, Mr. Raffarin and Mr. Copé were received by Mr. Huang Qifan, Mayor of Chongqing, and Mr. Huang Kunming, Secretary of CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee.

       This visit was covered by major Chinese and French media including CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, Beijing TV, Phoenix TV, le Figaro and l’Express.

Mr. Li Changchun met with them.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with them.