BEIJING -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, expressed the hope that France will view China-EU economic and trade relations with a positive and open attitude, encourage the EU side to meet China halfway, and play a constructive role in consultation and negotiations between the two sides.

Wang made those remarks Thursday during phone talks with French President's Diplomatic Counselor Emmanuel Bonne.