Sino-French relations turn a new page on Hollande's visit
- By Zheng Ruolin
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 26, 2013
Challenges facing Sino-French relationship
China and France have recorded plentiful discords in major international issues. The two countries were close to tit-for-tat in solving the Syria crisis and Iran nuclear crisis. France recently expressed an intention to sell arms to China's neighbouring countries, including the Philippines and India, attracting the international community's close attention.
Hollande seems to have inherited his predecessor Nicholas Sarkozy's pro-U.S. foreign diplomacy, emphasizing Western powers' common interests. But observers noticed that Hollande pledged to deepen "the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership" in his greeting message to Xi Jinping, congratulating Xi's assumption of president.
Xi "hailed France's attitude to prioritize China in its foreign policy," and he stressed that "China will not change its degree of attention to the Sino-French relationship regardless of how the international situation changes."
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations. The two countries have decided to build up the bilateral relationship and deepen mutual trust. The two countries will reportedly announce a series of celebrations during Hollande's visit in China.
Martine Aubry said that "diplomacy serves the economy," indicating a new feature in the Sino-French relationship. How will the two countries balance trade and investment is the question that deserves the French government's consideration.
High-speed rail, airplane and nuclear electricity used to be the French government's "big three" in its exports to China, but they tend to lack new momentum as China has caught up in such technologies.
Aubry proposed a "new big three": agricultural and food processing, medical and health, and sustainable urban construction.
France's trade deficit with China now stands at €26 billion. French statistics show that China was responsible for 40 percent in its trade deficit.
But last year, China's exports to France declined by US$26.9 billion, or 10.3 percent year-on-year, whereas France during the same period saw improvements in a 9.3 percent increase, or US$24.12 billion, in its exports to China.
Observers indicated that France's restrictions on high-tech exports to China have limited China's options. Jacques Chirac and Nicholas Sarkozy both advocated lifting arms and high-tech embargo against China, but Hollande's position has remained obscure regarding the issue.
Information from China showed that the Hollande administration also needs to take concrete measures to facilitate Chinese investment in France, especially in public market access, visa processing and the amelioration of the investment environment.
Closer people, closer countries
Public opinion in the two countries is still in contention amid the upcoming 50th anniversary of the bilateral relationship. Xi Jinping's earlier remark that "closer people bring closer countries" could also apply to the Sino-French relationship.
Fortunately, just prior to Hollande's China visit, changes began to occur. More and more French journalists started to break through the French press's stereotype against China and ditch the shackle that a story on China has to be "politically correct." These people are providing the French public with more objective information about China, hoping to boost the two people's mutual understanding.
Hollande's China visit will naturally serve as a test where unbiased-China views clash with the stubborn minded. This clash will also determine the result of Hollande's maiden China trip.
This author is Wen Wei Po's senior correspondent in Paris
This article was translated by Chen Boyuan. Its longer version was published in Chinese.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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