BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President has met his French counterpart Francois Hollande in Beijing to discuss bilateral ties. The French president is in China for a two-day state visit to boost relations.

Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Hollande, who is the first leader of a major Western country to visit Beijing since China’s new leadership took office.

After the ceremony, the two sides exchanged views on China- ties and China-EU relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, Xi Jinping and Hollande attended the closing ceremony of the China-France business forum. Hollande is set to visit Shanghai on Friday. He will deliver a speech at the Shanghai Jiaotong University on the global challenges facing both France and China.

(Source: CNTV.cn)