Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator, and Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France agreed Wednesday that China and France should further consolidate bilateral ties and expand their economic cooperation.

During a meeting at Fillon's office, the prime minister said Wu's visit will strengthen the traditional friendship between Paris and Beijing and advance the Sino-French comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wu, who is conducting an eight-day official goodwill visit to France, said China and France share common interests in many areas. It is in the interest of both countries to develop their bilateral cooperation.

The Chinese and French economies are highly complementary to each other and have great potentials for more bilateral cooperation, said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).

China is willing to build a long-term and sustainable economic partnership with France, said Wu, who arrived in Paris on Wednesday.

Fillon said his government encourages French businesses to expand cooperation with China in environmental protection, agriculture and the finance sector.

France and China also achieved consensus on working together to boost exchanges and cooperation between China and the European Union.

In a written statement released at the airport upon arrival, Wu said his visit was aimed at advancing the Sino-French all-round strategic partnership in a healthy way.

China, he said, was willing to further consolidate political mutual trust and enhance substantial cooperation with France in the spirit of mutual respect and the win-win principle.

Wu is in France at the invitation of Bernard Accoyer, speaker of the National Assembly, and Gerard Larcher, Senate president.

During his stay, Wu was also expected to meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy and leaders of the country's parliament.

Wu's trip was the first official visit by a top Chinese legislator to France since 1997.

France is the first leg of Wu's three-nation Europe tour, which will also take him to Serbia and Switzerland. Wu will attend the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva during his stay in Switzerland.