BEIJING, May 11 (INP): China took notice of the report that Israel has attacked Iran’s military targets in Syria and urged both the parties to keep calm and exercise restraint. Responding to the report at a news briefing, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Yan Shuang emphasized that both the parties should jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region. About the election of Mahathir Mohamad as a Prime Minister of Malaysia, the spokesman said, Mahathir is a senior politician who has made significant and important contributions to the development of Malaysia and ASEAN, China-Malaysia relations and East Asia cooperation. The Chinese side congratulated him on his appointment as Malaysian Prime Minister and believes that under his leadership, Malaysia’s national construction will achieve new achievements and China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to develop steadily, he added. About the upcoming of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to France, the spokesperson said, France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, a major nuclear power of the EU, and an important member of the G20. It is also the first Western power to officially establish diplomatic relations with New China. In recent years, China-France relations have continued to develop in a healthy and stable manner. The pragmatic cooperation in various fields has been continuously deepened. Close communication and coordination have been maintained in international affairs and played an active role in promoting the respective development of the two countries and the prosperity and stability of the world. In January of this year, French President Mark Long successfully paid a state visit to China and the two heads of state reached important consensus on further enhancing the level of China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. During his visit to France, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with President Mark Long and the President’s foreign affairs adviser Etienne respectively and hold talks with Foreign Minister Ledrienne. The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on the implementation of the consensus of the heads of state of the two countries, launching high-level exchanges and promoting practical cooperation in various fields, as well as China-EU relations and major international and regional issues of common interest.” INP/J/AJ