Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 30, 2015. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in Beijing on Friday and they pledged to boost the "strategic" cooperation between the two countries.

Hailing the increasingly strategic significance of the China-France relationship, Xi said the two sides should make joint efforts to further advance bilateral ties in a stable way with more political "wisdom and willingness."

The two sides should always respect each other's core interests and major concerns and firmly maintain the direction of the bilateral relationship, Xi said, calling for "strategic thinking" to deepen practical cooperation on nuclear energy, aviation, finance and sustainable development, and an open mind to establish a closer community of interests between the two countries.

The two sides should make use of their High-level Mechanism for Dialogue on People-to-People Exchanges, especially to increase exchanges between the youth of the two countries, said the president.

On international affairs, Xi said China will support France's efforts to host the United Nations climate change conference in France late this year and that the two countries should join hands to safeguard the outcomes of World War II as well as the post-war peace order, and to establish a new-type of international relationship featuring win-win cooperation in the world.

With this year marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Europe, Xi said China and Europe face great opportunities to develop their bilateral relationship.

Xi hopes France will continue to play a positive role in negotiations on investment deals, the feasibility study on free trade and an agreement to facilitate people-to-people visits between China and Europe.

During their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Valls said the French side attaches great importance to ties with China and both sides are willing to boost their strategic cooperation in various fields.

France hopes to cooperate with China on aviation, nuclear electricity, automobile, finance and other sectors, improve market entry and investment protection, and re-balance two-way trade through development, said the prime minister, also welcoming investors, students and tourists from China.

France will also discuss international cooperation with China outside of their home countries, Valls said.

The French prime minister said he looks forward to cooperation with China to address climate change and make the Paris climate change meeting a success.

Valls said France looks forward to closer cooperation with China to fight terrorism.

He said the world should hold commemorations to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII this year to reaffirm their commitment to world peace and security.

France will also make continued efforts to develop the China-Europe relationship, said the visiting prime minister.