According to International Relations Study
Association(IRSA), China and France, two of the greatest
civilizations in the East and the West, have had an amazing history
of exchanges. Over the past 60 years, the relationship between the
two countries has gone through many ups and downs, and has always
been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries,
bringing benefits to the people of the two countries, contributing
to world peace, stability and development, and highlighting
strategy and leadership in a turbulent and changing world.Looking
to the future, the two countries will collaborate to achieve even
greater glory.
1. The significance of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between China and France goes far beyond the scope of bilateral
relations
On January 27, 1964, with the world shrouded in the shadow of
the Cold War, the Chinese and French governments issued a joint
communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations: "The
government of the People's Republic of China and the government of
the French Republic unanimously decided to establish diplomatic
relations. The two governments agreed to appoint ambassadors within
three months. "
This is the most concise and unique communiqué on the
establishment of diplomatic relations in China’s diplomatic
history. Just two sentences announced to the world: China and
France, two countries pursuing independence in a bipolar world,
have finally come together.
France became the first major Western country to formally
establish diplomatic relations with New China. At the time, the
international public referred to the opening of diplomatic
relations between China and France as a "diplomatic nuclear
explosion" since it represented a significant advancement in
Sino-Western relations.
Beyond the purview of typical bilateral ties, the connection
between France and China is extremely significant. China-France
ties greatly influence China-EU relations, particularly in light of
the serious challenges Europe is currently facing both at its
borders and globally. No matter how the global environment has
changed over the previous 60 years, China-France ties have always
continued to improve. This friendship, which spans the Eurasian
continent, shows the openness and tolerance of the two peoples as
well as the foresight of the two heads of state. This not only
stems from the history of relations between the two countries, but
is also more in line with reality and demonstrates the two
countries' common pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.
2. The relationship between France and China is now serving as
an example for other big countries
"Independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit,
and win-win" is how President Xi Jinping summed up the
Chinese-French spirit, thoroughly encapsulating the distinct
spiritual temperament and shared values of the two countries and
civilizations.
China and France, two powerful nations with a long history, can
communicate, understand, and coexist. This is because the spirit of
independence is resonant. It is both a historical requirement and a
reflection of the two civilizations' mutual admiration and
affection. The amicable coexistence of great nations with diverse
social systems has been pioneered over the past 60 years by China
and France, and their relationship has grown to represent a new
paradigm in major-country relations. They have successfully
encouraged the peaceful advancement of human society and have had a
significant influence on global trends.
The history of close exchanges between China and France has been
written in new chapters in recent years by the steady development
of political mutual trust between the two nations, the frequency of
high-level exchanges, the effectiveness of dialogue and
consultation mechanisms, and the cordial exchange of state visits
between the two heads of state. 2018 saw President Macron's first
trip to China, and in April 2023 he returned.
The heads of state of China and France oppose the decoupling of
China and the EU and support the strengthening of mutually
beneficial cooperation and the consensus on the general direction
of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership that is
stable, reciprocal, pioneering and progressive.In addition, over
ten bilateral cooperation documents covering the fields of
agriculture, food, science and technology, aviation, nuclear
energy, sustainable development, and culture have been inked by the
two parties.
China and France have achieved historical "firsts" in a variety
of domains, most notably trade and economic cooperation. France is
the first Western nation to strike a deal with China for air
transportation and the first to collaborate with China on civil
nuclear energy projects. France is currently China's third-largest
actual investment source and trading partner in the European Union.
China is the sixth-largest trading partner in the world and
France's biggest trading partner in Asia. It can be said that as
the cornerstone of China-France bilateral relations, the importance
of economic and trade relations is constantly being
highlighted.
President Xi Jinping’s visit to France will promote China-France
comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level
President Xi Jinping made his first trip to France in March
2014. Together, the two chiefs of state made the decision to usher
in a new phase of close and enduring comprehensive strategic
relationship between China and France. President Xi Jinping made a
second visit to France in March 2019, during which he reiterated
that China and France will continue to advance together on the path
of shared development as special friends and win-win partners. The
comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France has
grown steadily and healthily under the direction of heads of state
diplomacy. Together, they have become strong advocates of global
multipolarity and the democratization of international
relations.
From May 5 to 10, at the invitation of President Macron of the
French Republic, Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of
Serbia, Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, and Viktor Orbán, Prime
Minister, Xi Jinping will pay state visits to the above three
countries. This is President Xi Jinping’s third state visit to
France. President Xi Jinping's visit will encourage China and
France to adhere to the original intention of establishing
diplomatic relations, maintain traditional friendship, promote the
continuous development of a close and long-lasting China-France
comprehensive strategic partnership, and jointly promote world
security and stability.
It was mentioned by French people from every profession of life
that this year is the 60th anniversary of France and China's
diplomatic ties being established. The visit by President Xi will
have a significant impact on the two nations' relations. They
anticipate the visit to advance the overall strategic partnership
between France and China to a new height.
As friends of sincerity and mutual trust and a model of
exchanges and mutual learning, China and France must face the
future and unswervingly develop bilateral relations to cope with
the uncertainty of the world. Continue to uphold equality, respect,
and mutual trust, work together to respond to global challenges,
jointly advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarization, and
economic globalization that benefits all and inclusiveness, so as
to build a stronger and more dynamic China-France comprehensive
strategic partnership and contribute to the enhancement of the two
countries’ and make greater contributions to the well-being of the
people of the country and the world.
International Relations Study Association(IRSA)
Joe Conord
joeconcord@internationalrelationsstudyassociation.com