PARIS — China is ready to share its major market with French companies while it will import goods worth of $1 trillion in the next five years, Gao Yuanyuan, minister counsellor of the commercial section of Chinese Embassy in France, said on Thursday at a press conference.

"French goods or services of good quality, or with French characteristics, are especially welcomed in China," she noted, adding that products made in France, such as wine, perfume, cheese, are already well known in China.

To promote French products in China, Gao called on French companies to participate in the first edition of China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai between November 5-10 in 2018.

The exhibition, which will be held annually since 2018, is a new platform to promote the exploitation of Chinese market for foreign companies, Gao said, adding that the area of the first edition will exceed 240,000 square meters, of which 210,000 square meters for businesses, and 30,000 square meters for state delegations.

"French companies are very eager to present themselves at this event to meet their own promotional needs in China," Gao said.