Chinese President In France On State Visit

China's President Hu Jintao (left) and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy are expected to sign deals worth billions.

China's President Hu Jintao (left) and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy are expected to sign deals worth billions.

China's President Hu Jintao has arrived in Paris at the start of a three-day state visit.

The Chinese president will later today hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who greeted him at Paris' Orly Airport with military honors.

The two sides are expected to sign deals for nuclear, aviation, and energy technology worth billions of dollars.

Hu's visit marks a turnaround from tense relations two years ago, when Sarkozy threatened to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics out of anger at China's policies on Tibet.

Hu's visit also comes as France prepares to take over the leadership of the Group of 20 leading developed and developing countries next week.

compiled from agency reports