Sarkozy attempts to smooth over past rifts in Sino-French relations

French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Beijing yesterday for a three-day visit aimed at patching up ties that frayed over Tibet two years ago, and to strengthen economic co-operation within the Group of 20.

Sarkozy said he was also using his second official visit to urge the mainland to back stronger measures against Iran's nuclear programme.

'China hopes to use dialogue to solve this problem. France completely understands China and we are willing to discuss this problem together at an appropriate time, but if dialogue does not work then we can only use sanctions,' he said in a joint press conference with President Hu Jintao shortly after the two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People yesterday afternoon.

The French president and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, kicked off their China tour with a brief stop in Xian yesterday morning.

Sarkozy is due to meet top legislator Wu Bangguo today before leading his delegation south tomorrow to take part in the opening ceremony of the World Expo in Shanghai.

He is just one among dozens of foreign heads of state mainland officials have said are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso is due to arrive today to meet Hu in Beijing before the Shanghai event.