Published by: World Tibet Network News, Wednesday, Apr 17, 1996

PARIS, Apr 10, 1996 (Reuter) - China signed trade agreements worth $2 billion with France Wednesday, including firm orders for 33 Airbus aircraft, during a visit by Chinese Premier Li Peng, the French Foreign Ministry said.

After a long delay apparently due to Chinese displeasure over French references to human rights, Li and French Prime Minister Alain Juppe watched officials sign a $1.5 billion deal for 30 short-haul A320 planes and a contract for three long-haul A340s as well as accords covering grain and shipping.

``The signing of these documents confirms the reinforcement of economic, trade and technological cooperation between our two countries. It translates a shared determination to develop and intensify relations of partnership between two complementary economies,'' a French statement said.

The second-largest deal was a $440 million loan by a bank syndicate led by France's Societe Generale to finance an extension of a Citroen car factory in Wuhan, raising its output from 37,000 to 150,000 cars per year.

The other accords involved the supply of a gas liquefaction plant for Shanghai by a subsidiary of state-owned Gaz de France, a three-year wheat supply agreement which does not commit China to buy specific quantities and a maritime transport pact.

The agreements were signed nearly two hours late after a day of talks punctuated by protests by human rights activists over alleged political imprisonment, forced labor and executions in China, and repression in Tibet.