France to issue govt debt denominated in Chinese yuan  

Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, the new French Ambassador to China, answers questions in an interview on Dec 18, 2014. (Photo: 21st Century Business Herald)

(ECNS) - France has issued RMB corporate bonds and will issue government debt denominated in yuan, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, the new French Ambassador to China has said in an interview.  

France has actively participated in the process of RMB internationalization, Gourdault-Montagne said, adding that "nearly 44 percent of Sino-French trade is settled in yuan."　　

"China has undertaken great efforts to support eurozone countries to overcome the debt crisis. We will also support RMB internationalization, hoping that the yuan will play as important a role in the international monetary system as dollars and euros," he said. 

China and France share extensive economic relations, and many joint ventures have been created, including Alstom, Michelin and Citroën.

Nuclear energy is another key area for cooperation. Leading French energy companies have provided technical support for the construction of the Chinese Daya Bay and Lingao power plants.  

Public health, agricultural products, food sectors and urban environments are also new areas for bilateral cooperation.

"Carrying out effective cooperation between hospitals in both countries, and promoting the research of vaccines and treatments for chronic diseases is necessary and crucial for China's aging population problem," he explained.

Wine exports to China and food safety supervision still have much space to improve with coordination from both countries, he added.

In addition, building a clean and sustainable urban lifestyle is a common concern.

Gourdault-Montagne also said that promoting visa facilitation and carrying out youth exchanges with China are important tasks during his administration.