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BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday China and France should properly implement the Hinkley Point C nuclear project in Britain, the first new nuclear power plant in Britain for two decades.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Xi made the remarks when meeting with visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

Chinese and French companies signed the agreement to build an 18 billion pound nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C during Xi's state visit to Britain in October last year. The CGN-led Chinese consortium and French company EDF respectively take 33.5 percent and 66.5 percent stake.

"Both sides should properly implement the Hinkley Point C nuclear project and other major projects, and expand cooperation in trade, investment and finance to deeply integrate our interests," Xi said.

Xi urged more people-to-people exchanges as well as cooperation at the local level and in international affairs.

China and France should work to promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the outcome of the G20 summit in Hangzhou, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China has always viewed its relations with the European Union from a strategic perspective and firmly supports the European integration process.

China hopes France will continue to back and facilitate the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative and Europe's development strategy, the president said.

Ayrault said France supports the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to strengthen trade and investment ties with China. He said France looks to properly implement the Hinkley Point C nuclear project, as well as explore partnership with China in medicine, health, sustainable development, urban construction, education and film.

Ayrault expressed a desire to enhance cooperation with China in the UN Security Council, believing that the EU should continue to be a reliable partner for China.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with Ayrault earlier Monday.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (R) meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)