The French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, along with other ministers and French government officials visited Wuhan, capital of Hubei province on Dec 7.

Ayrault was accompanied by a delegation of nearly one hundred entrepreneurs during his stop in the city, part of a five-day official tour of China, which started on Dec 5 and aimed to promote economic cooperation.

He headed to the Sino-French automobile venture, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile’s manufacturing plant, where he toured the assembly plant and took test drives in Peugeot’s two C4L models.

Speaking earlier in Beijing, Ayrault said that the Chinese government’s approval of a new automobile project in Wuhan between Renault and Dongfeng is a “good sign” for future cooperation between the two countries.

The Renault Dongfeng joint venture, with total investment of 11 billion yuan($ 1.81 billion), is expected to produce 150,000 automobiles, mostly SUVs and MPVs, and the first phase of the project is set to be completed by the end of 2014.

The delegation then had the opportunity to see a planning model of the city, which shows how Wuhan’s urban areas were designed and built.

Ayrault said that the city has the political will and policy support which would allow France to make a contribution to its development using its experience in urbanization, and providing architects and engineers and these factors would also allow French businesses to cooperate with Wuhan.

Ayrault gave a speech at Wuhan University on Sino-French cooperation, including French language and talent exchanges, and he also had dinner with Li Hongzhong, secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Party Committee, and other Chinese officials.

Wuhan boasts much French investment and is home to the largest population of French expatriates in China. France and Wuhan cooperate in sectors including automotive, energy, finance, retail, high-tech and transportation.

China and France will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties on Jan 27, and both governments will hold activities to highlight Sino-French cooperation in cultural, economic, scientific and technological fields.

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin