France became the first Western power to establish diplomatic relations with China 50 years ago. Senior Chinese diplomat and former Chinese ambassador to France Wu Jianmin witnessed many important moments in the development of their relations.

In a interview with China Central Television, he said the complementarity in economies and cultural attraction to each other will raise their relationship to a new level.

Wu Jianmin compared the big differences he first saw while in France with the present-day exchange between the two countries.

"I visited France in 1964. At that time, there were very few Chinese. You see now every year more than 1 million Chinese people visit France. French people are also increasingly visiting China." Wu said.

Wu Jianmin was the Chinese ambassador to France from 1998 to 2003. During which time, he witnessed great developments in bilateral relations.

From 2003 to 2005, the two countries hosted a cultural year for each other.

More than 600 activities were staged during that time. Wu was one of the promoters for this.

As part of the Chinese cultural year, in 2004, the French government lit the Eiffel tower with red lights to celebrate the Chinese New year.

"It was the then French president’s cultural consultant who brought up the idea of lightening the Eiffel Tower in red. I hesitated about it, wondering whether this would confuse people that China is trying to make communist propaganda in France. But the French consultant relieved my worries. She said red is also one of the colors in the French national flag. And red stands for happiness in China. Lightening the tower in red symbolises China and France’s cultural bond." Wu said.

In 2003, the then French President bid farewell to Wu Jianmin at his Elysee palace as he finished his tenure.

Jacque Chirac also honoured Wu with a Medal for his contribution to the improvement of the two countries’ friendship.

Reviewing the past 50 years, Wu said though there are ups and downs, their bilateral relations have kept improving.

"China and France are indispensable to each other, with more and more cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. The two countries also have much in common in politics, especially in the world situation." Wu said.

He added both China and France support a multi-polar world. Therefore, political, cultural and economic bonds will lead the two countries’ relations to a new level.