Sino-French relations over the past 60 years have been at the forefront of China's ties with major Western countries, setting a good example for the international community of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different systems, President Xi Jinping said on Sunday as he arrived in France for a state visit.

French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, met Xi at the airport at the start of his first visit to a European Union country in five years.

In a written speech, Xinhua reported that Xi also described Sino-French relations as a model of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between countries with different systems.

Xinhua quoted the president as saying the development of China-France ties brings benefits to the two peoples and injected stability, positive energy into a turbulent world.

Xi also said China was ready to consolidate traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, build strategic consensus and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields with France through the visit.

Xi is expected to meet the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on his trip.

During his European visit, Xi will also visit Hungary and Serbia.