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French President, wife arrive in China

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Dharamsala, April 28 – In what is looked at as a diplomatic reconciliation between China and France French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, arrived in China Wednesday for a three-day visit.

During the visit, Sarkozy is expected to press China to back further sanctions against Iran.

Both China and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council. Russia and China, who have trade links with Iran, have been reluctant to support new sanctions against Iran. France, Britain and the U.S., all permanent members of the UN Security Council have been pressing for sanctions against Iran which refuses to stop uranium enrichment in its nuclear program.

Diplomatic relations between China and France soured after Tibetan protesters disrupted the passage of Olympic torch through Paris in 2008 and Sarkozy’s meeting with the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing reviles as a ‘separatist’. The Dalai Lama, who is widely revered by Tibetans as their undisputed spiritual and political leader however rejects Chinese accusations and openly advocates for a “real and meaningful” autonomy for his people within the constitutional framework of the People’s Republic of China.

Sarkozy will meet with President Hu Jintao, National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. After a state dinner in Beijing and private visit to the Great Wall, Sarkozy will join Hu in Shanghai for the inauguration of Expo 2010, where he will also open the French Pavilion.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is also set to visit France this year.

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