Seeking in-depth cooperation and interchanges with China is crucial to the social and economic development of Paris as a metropolis, said Geoffroy Boulard, mayor of the 17th District of Paris.
Boulard made the remarks in a talk with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Paris on Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France.
France is the first leg of his three-nation European tour which is also set to take him to Serbia and Hungary.
In the talk, Boulard highlighted the potential contributions Chinese people and entrepreneurs can make to the development of France.
"We are in Paris, a city of two million people. Paris is in a metropolis with around 7,000 to 8,000 people per square kilometers. This requires us to learn about how Chinese people have handled the question of density in cities, and also to develop relationships with China. These relationships would allow French people to go and export to China and vice-versa. In a nutshell, allowing people to better understand what France can bring to China and in turn, what China, Chinese people and Chinese investors can bring to France, Paris and its businesses," said Boulard.
Cooperation, interchanges with China crucial to Paris development: mayor of 17th District
The Central Asia Park was opened on Sunday in the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an one year after the first China-Central Asia Summit, to showcase the strengthening of regional cooperation.
The park is located near the Xi'an International Exhibition Center, one of the venues for the 2023 China-Central Asia Summit. Sculptures of horses and camel caravans decorate the approximately 53-hectare park, symbolizing the prosperous exchanges over centuries and the beautiful vision of joint development between China and Central Asian countries.
The building at the main entrance of the park is called "Silk Road Meeting Room" and displays gifts from Central Asian countries, including traditional costumes from Kazakhstan and sculptures of "bow shooting" from Kyrgyzstan.
Visitors can buy specialties including snacks and honey from Central Asian countries in the park's shop.
Xi'an is a historical city founded about 3,100 years ago. Formerly known as Chang'an, it is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, which saw flourishing interactions between China and Central Asia.
The China-Central Asia Summit, held in the city in May 2023, was the first summit held offline by the leaders of the six countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian states 31 years ago.
Central Asia Park opens in northwest China, highlighting regional cooperation
