More Chinese than ever making France their home

And the community's industry and economic success is increasingly held up as as example.

"They are not exactly 35-hour-weekers," says Picquart, referring to France's controversial reduction in the working week brought in by the last Socialist government.

"For France the Chinese are an opportunity ... Their economic dynamism, their knowledge-based civilization and their thirst for success assure them an ever greater place in society," said Liberation newspaper.

"They can be an irreplaceable bridge to a China with which France nurses high hopes of strategic dialogue and rich contracts -- the centerpiece of the state visit by President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤)."

Hu begins a state visit to France tomorrow to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China.

Two days before the arrival of Hu, France was to afford China a rare honor by opening up the Champs Elysees in Paris for a traditional dragon-and-drums new year parade.

Promoters say this is the first time the celebrated avenue has been devoted to a foreign cultural event -- wartime German march-pasts excepted.