Former French PM sees great potential for cooperation with China

"Big companies naturally work together. We must manage to establish more confidence and eliminate a number of barriers in our economies, so that the context of trade can be facilitated and there're more exchanges in SMEs," he said.

He also expressed his view on the "Belt and Road" initiative, a reference to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I think this is a very important initiative ... based on a real project, a real vision," de Villepin said, adding that the "multi-dimensional" initiative will be conducive to the stability of the Eurasian region in the face of challenges such as terrorism.

"It will also play an important role in stimulating growth in this region .. where many countries have not yet fully developed their resources," he said.

"Multiplying infrastructure, and offering these people new opportunities in building railways, ports and roads, we offer a large number of economies new opportunities for growth," he explained.

In addition, de Villepin said, the initiative has helped create a number of important financial institutions at a multilateral level, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund.

"These multilateral regional institutions are a hope for the global multilateral system, which needs to reform ... I think the competition born with such institutions is good, because it can help bring some new blood, a new vision and a new requirement," he said.