(9 Apr 1996) Natural Sound
Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng has arrived in France for an official four-day visit.
China hopes to bolster its ties and trade with Europe and Li will sign a trade agreement during the visit.
But human rights groups plan demonstrations against China's oppressive policies and demand Paris take a tougher stand on abuses.
Chinese Premier Li Peng has arrived in France from Beijing to be met by a formal welcoming ceremony.
The Chinese premier will be meeting French Prime Minister Alain Juppe and President Jacques Chirac for economic and political bilateral talks.
The French minister for industry and telecommunications Jean Borotra met the Chinese leader and his wife, Zhu Lin, as they stepped off the plane.
A band played on the tarmac as they were greeted.
Li Peng will sign a trade agreement with the French on Wednesday.
The Chinese leader will also buy billions of dollars worth of planes, trains and power plants from the French.
China is hoping to strengthen its economic links with Europe.
Days earlier, Li had postponed visits to the Netherlands and Luxembourg and shortened his scheduled in France.
This is reportedly because of fears that he might be harassed by protesters as he has been on past European visits.
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