BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Tuesday called for joint efforts by China and France to push for the stable and healthy growth of bilateral relations.
Spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a press conference that to cement and advance the Sino-French relations accords with the fundamental interests of the two nations and the two peoples, and the two sides should continue considering bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term point of view.
The former Chinese ambassador to France Zhao Jinjun paid a visit to France as a special envoy of President Hu Jintao from April 18 to 22. This was an important diplomatic move taken by China in the recent situation, and indicated that China valued the traditional friendship with France, Jiang noted.
During his stay in France, Zhao met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Senate President Christian Poncelet and former prime ministers Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Dominique Galouzeau de Villepin.
Zhao conveyed President Hu Jintao's letter to Sarkozy, and discussed the China-France relations and other issues of common concern with the French side. Sarkozy reiterated that France attached great importance to relations with China, and firmly adhered to the one-China policy on the Taiwan and Tibet issues. The president also wished success to the Beijing Olympics.
Visiting French Senate President Christian Poncelet on Monday made a special trip to meet with Chinese torch bearer Jin Jing, and conveyed President Sarkozy's sympathy note to the wheelchair-bound fencer who was attacked during the Olympics torch relay in Paris.
"I would like to express to you my deep feeling towards the way you were shoved in Paris on April 7 when you were holding the Olympic flame. You showed an outstanding courage, which honors you, and (through you) all your country," Sarkozy said in the letter.
Sarkozy also condemned the intolerable attack which Jin Jing suffered.
Jiang Yu said the Chinese people appreciated President Sarkozy's friendly attitude, hoping that Sarkozy and his government would adhere to justice on such important issues as Tibet and the Olympic Games.
China hoped that France would understand and support China's reasonable and necessary measures to safeguard social stability and to protect people's lives and property safety, Jiang said, urging that France should oppose politicizing the Olympic Games and support the Beijing Olympics.
Poncelet's visit is from April 21 to 27 at the invitation of top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will visit China from April 24 to 27. They were old friends of China, and China highly valued their visits, Jiang noted.
According to Jiang, Chinese president Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and top political advisor Jia Qinglin will meet with Poncelet separately, and Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with Raffarin.
Moreover, Jean-David Levitte, a diplomatic adviser of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, will pay a visit to China from April 26 to 27, and hold an unofficial consultation about the Sino-French strategic dialogue with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo. The two sides are to exchange views on bilateral relations and major international and regional affairs, Jiang said.
A pro-Tibetan protester in Paris attempts to wrangle the Olympic torch from Chinese fencer Jin Jing, who has become a national hero to many because of the incident. 
After anti-France protests were held in major Chinese cities over the weekend, China and France are now attempting to smoothen relations. China has discouraged the actions of the "radical" protesters, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to a Chinese Olympic athlete who has gained national fame in China following a controversial incident in the Paris Olympic torch relay.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the demonstrations were "encouraging and touching," but added that "we do not agree with some people's radical actions." She added that China should continue to harbor friendly bilateral relations with France.
A Carrefour retail store in China. Many Chinese protesters called for a boycott of Carrefour, who they accused of supporting the Dalai Lama. 
The Chinese state-run newspaper China Daily expressed the government's views on the protests in an editorial, warning against "false patriotism" and encouraging tolerance of differing opinions. "Over-the-top nationalism is not constructive, but can do harm to the country," the English-language newspaper said. "If we want to improve things, we will have to encourage responsible patriotism."

Some Chinese protesters have called for a boycott of French goods, in particular the French retailer Carrefour, which Chinese bloggers accused of supporting the Dalai Lama. Carrefour denied this allegation, saying in an interview that "Carrefour has not given any direct or indirect support to any political or religious cause."

The protests in China were a reaction to pro-Tibetan demonstrations held in Paris on April 7, when the Olympic torch was making its journey through the French capital. Pro-Tibet activists disrupted the torch relay by attempting to extinguish the flame or otherwise halt the proceedings. 

One of the more controversial incidents of the torch relay involved Chinese Olympic fencer Jin Jing, who was one of the athletes chosen to bear the torch. Protesters tried to wrestle the torch from wheelchair-bound Jin, who is now regarded by many Chinese as a national hero because of the incident.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to Jin, condemning the attack she suffered and praising her courage. "I would like to express to you my deep feeling towards the way you were shoved in Paris on April 7 when you were holding the Olympic flame. You showed an outstanding courage, which honors you, and all your country," Sarkozy wrote in the letter. He also extended a personal invitation to her.

"This friendly move by President Sarkozy is appreciated by the Chinese people," said ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu. The letter was personally delivered by French Senate President Christian Poncelet, who is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders this week. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is also scheduled to visit China.