BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius held talks in Beijing Friday, pledging to further promote bilateral ties.

Noting that the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to France in late March has "far-reaching" influence on bilateral ties, Wang said the two nations need to make joint efforts to implement the consensus reached by both leaders.

The focus of the next stage for the two nations is to initiate a mechanism of high-level people-to-people exchange at an early date and make preparations for an economic and financial dialogue between China and France, Wang said.

He also called on both sides to promote projects on nuclear power and aviation and to coordinate on major international and regional issues.

Fabius said France is willing to push forward bilateral cooperation in areas of politics, economy and trade, and culture so as to lift the relationship to a new level.

Prior to the talks, the two foreign ministers visited the Ten Masterpieces of French Painting Exhibition at China's National Museum in Beijing observing the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.