The head of the French Development Agency has told Wuhan’s Communist Party Secretary and Deputy Provincial Party Secretary Mr Yang Song that the French government wishes to widen the scope of bilateral co-operation to promote low-carbon emissions, sustainability of urban development, agriculture, industries and services. France will provide government loans or funds for projects in these areas. At the moment, according to a local newspaper report on 10 March, the agency is talking with government departments about the renovation of public buildings to reduce energy consumption levels.

France is the first and, until recently, the only country to have established a consulate in Wuhan. Recently, the US set up a one-person consulate in the city.