PARIS - China's peaceful development is a "great opportunity" for France and the two sides should further boost win-win cooperation, says French President Francois Hollande.

The French leader made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua ahead of his first presidential visit to China, which kicked off Thursday.

China's development, like that of all other major emerging countries, would lead to a profound transformation of the balance of international relations, he said.

The two sides, added the president, should further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation, as "it is our responsibility to meet new challenges together".

Noting that China has become the world's second largest economy after 30 years of reform, Hollande said China's economic development and growth is "impressive".

He added that he also has high regard for the "dynamism and deep transformations of Chinese society that accompany it."

"China now finds its place in the world, which, in reality, has always been its own: a civilization thousands of years old, a country with a great culture," said the president.

As France and China enjoy centuries of friendship, "we must now live up to our shared past as we look to the future together, and that's what we have decided with President Xi Jinping," he said.