BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China Tuesday called for new initiatives to boost the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

    The call was made during a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and former French President Jacques Chirac, who is in Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Former French President Jacques Chirac at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2009.

Hu praised Chirac, on his ninth visit to China, as an old friend of the Chinese people for his contribution to the China-France friendship.

    "The Chinese people will never forget this," Hu was quote as saying by a press release from Chinese Foreign Ministry.

    Hu said the consolidation of ties, especially in the context of the international financial crisis, would help tackle the crisis and be conducive to promoting long-term peace, stability and prosperity.

    "I hope the two countries and two peoples can make joint efforts to advance the development of bilateral strategic partnership," Hu said.

    Chirac highlighted the achievements of China in its development, calling the development "a positive factor" in world prosperity, according to the press release.

    China ranked as a world power through its own efforts, Chirac said, and its peaceful development was helpful to maintaining stability and prosperity.