French PM: Paris-Beijing Problems Over

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said in China Tuesday that any misunderstandings between Paris and Beijing are a thing of the past.

Mr. Fillon told Chinese university students in Beijing the countries now want to build a relationship based on "mutual respect."

Tensions between Paris and Beijing grew last year when French President Nicolas Sarkozy met the Dalai Lama. China accuses the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader of seeking independence for the Himalayan region, which the Buddhist leader denies.

Fillon traveled to Beijing to smooth both diplomatic and economic relations. He oversaw the signing of 12 deals involving aviation, energy, culture and water resource utilization.

Fillon held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and parliamentary speaker Wu Bangguo, a day after meeting Premier Wen Jiabao.



Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.