Former French PM highlights culture and peace in China-France relations

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin speaks during an interview at the 2025 Beijing Culture Forumin Beijing, Sept. 23, 2025. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said on Tuesday that cultural exchange remains central to China-France relations. During an interview at the 2025 Beijing Culture Forum, Raffarin called for deeper cooperation on multilateralism and peace.

"I have long known that the essence of the relationship between France and China is cultural," Raffarin said. He went on to describe both nations as "perceptive peoples, open to exchange, to poetry, to culture."

He noted that China has made "considerable efforts" to harness new technologies for cultural purposes, highlighting artificial intelligence as a key driver of both creative innovation and cultural integration.

Speaking about the shared commitment of both nations to peace, Raffarin said that the Chinese and French peoples are "legitimate voices" in global peace building. "The Chinese people have never waged war beyond their borders; they are a peaceful people," he said, adding that France, scarred by the tragedies of World War II, remains committed to avoiding the repetition of such horrors.

Raffarin emphasized the need for France and China to work together on "the prospects of a new multilateralism." He argued that international organizations must adapt and transform so that global governance can better reflect dialogue, respect, and cooperation.

When asked about China's contributions to global governance over the past decade, Raffarin expressed his admiration for the country's achievements. He recalled his first visit to China, which was more than 50 years ago, and witnessing its transformation into a modern nation. "I want to express my respect to the Chinese people. You have made great efforts to eliminate poverty, which has given China a new position in international relations," he said. 

He also observed that the Chinese and French presidents have in recent years actively put forward proposals for building a new world order, which he said, aim at improving multilateral action. 

He noted that China contributes its traditional values and civilizational heritage to the cause of building a more inclusive form of global governance. He believed that France and China share a vision of multilateralism based on dialogue among peoples and mutual respect between civilizations, without passing judgment on one another.

He added that China's peaceful culture and civilizational depth deserve global respect, just as Europe's heritage does.

"Our two countries have a very fertile vision of cultural exchange," he said, expressing hope that the two countries' leaders would meet again before the year's end to further deepen dialogue.

During the forum's main session, Raffarin also delivered a message on behalf of French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati. In her statement, Dati conveyed a message of friendship and a desire to strengthen cultural ties between France and China.

She highlighted ongoing and future collaborations, including heritage preservation projects between French institutions and Shaanxi cultural authorities, and the renewed five-year partnership between the Centre Pompidou and Shanghai West Bund Development Group. Dati also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in cultural industries, particularly in film.