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France's Royal begins China trip France's Royal begins China trip
(about 14 hours later)
The Socialist candidate for the French presidency, Segolene Royal, is due to begin a three-day visit to China. The Socialist candidate for the French presidency, Segolene Royal, has begun a three-day visit to China.
She is expected to discuss environment, trade and human rights issues with Communist Party leaders in Beijing.She is expected to discuss environment, trade and human rights issues with Communist Party leaders in Beijing.
Ms Royal told reporters China's low-cost economy was a matter of "sharp concern" for France. At the start of her trip, Ms Royal urged French business to see China's economic rise as an opportunity.
Correspondents say the visit is a chance for Ms Royal to address criticism that she lacks experience in foreign affairs.Correspondents say the visit is a chance for Ms Royal to address criticism that she lacks experience in foreign affairs.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says China poses a particular diplomatic challenge, as many on the French left regard its economy as a threat and its record on human rights and the environment as deplorable.The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says China poses a particular diplomatic challenge, as many on the French left regard its economy as a threat and its record on human rights and the environment as deplorable.
While Ms Royal cannot ignore these concerns, our correspondent says, she will also have to assure her hosts she will maintain the strong partnership pioneered by the current President, Jacques Chirac.While Ms Royal cannot ignore these concerns, our correspondent says, she will also have to assure her hosts she will maintain the strong partnership pioneered by the current President, Jacques Chirac.
'Positive view' 'Organise better'
Ms Royal admitted on the eve of her departure that China's low-cost economy and its trade imbalance with France were a cause of great concern. Ms Royal was shown on French TV visiting the Great Wall of China, after arriving from Paris on an overnight flight.
But, she insisted, "we must have a positive view of China's development". "China is a huge market for French companies that demonstrate perseverance, creativity, will," she told reporters during the tours.
Her itinerary in China includes visits to the Great Wall, Beijing's Forbidden City and to one of the sites being developed for the 2008 Olympic Games. She also visited a construction site for the 2008 Olympics, where she urged French companies not to be afraid of the Chinese market.
Ms Royal said she plans to discuss human rights with her hosts but did not intend to preach. "If companies organise themselves better, if they work together to export, then we will not only protect our economy but also create jobs in France," she said.
Speaking before her trip, Ms Royal said she planned to discuss human rights with her hosts but did not intend to preach.
"I am not going as a giver of lessons," she said."I am not going as a giver of lessons," she said.
Opinion polls give Ms Royal a narrow lead over her rival, Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy.Opinion polls give Ms Royal a narrow lead over her rival, Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy.
Ms Sarkozy recently attacked Ms Royal for meeting a lawmaker from the militant Hezbollah group on her first foreign trip, to Lebanon.Ms Sarkozy recently attacked Ms Royal for meeting a lawmaker from the militant Hezbollah group on her first foreign trip, to Lebanon.
France's presidential elections are due to be held in April.France's presidential elections are due to be held in April.