French PM in China to repair rift over Tibet

Monday, December 21, 2009

ABC News
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French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, left, stand with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during the national anthem of welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009. Paris and Beijing were expected to sign a series of agreements Monday during the French prime minister's visit to boost trade with the Asian economic giant, an indication of improving relations a year after the French president angered China by meeting with the Dalai Lama. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has arrived in Beijing to repair relations between the two countries after a rift over Tibet.

Mr Fillon is to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao during his three-day stay, and also to hold talks with President Hu Jintao.

Mr Fillon and his finance minister Christine Lagarde will also put nuclear cooperation high on the agenda.

Relations between the two nations deteriorated last year when pro-Tibet protesters disrupted the Paris leg of China's Olympic torch relay.

They hit a low point in December 2008 when President Nicolas Sarkozy met the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.