The longstanding relationship between China and France is both intimate and elevated, with deep historical roots and dynamic contemporary interactions shaping the lives of people in both nations.
One vivid example is the Dazhimen Railway Station in Wuhan, originally designed by French architects and operational since 1903. Once the largest train station in Asia, it stands today as a national key protected cultural relic, symbolizing the enduring architectural and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
For many Chinese, France represents a beloved vacation destination; annually, over 2 million Chinese tourists visit France, making it the most popular European destination before the pandemic. French wine also plays a significant role in Chinese markets, accounting for nearly 30% of Chinese wine imports.
Conversely, for the French, China is a major source of employment and investment. With over 900 French companies invested by Chinese investors, more than 50,000 local employees in France benefit from these economic ties. The collaboration extends to various sectors, including the recent establishment of the second final assembly line for Airbus A320 in Tianjin and joint ventures in high-tech industries like chip manufacturing.
Political and diplomatic relations laid their foundation 60 years ago, in 1964, when France was the first major Western country to establish formal diplomatic relations with China at the ambassadorial level. Today, France continues to play a pivotal role in bilateral relations, engaging in civil nuclear energy cooperation and maintaining a stance of strategic autonomy in its dealings with China, amidst broader geopolitical shifts.
Leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron emphasize the importance of a balanced relationship with China, focusing on collaboration in addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity. \"Europe must reduce its dependency on the United States. The great risk Europe faces is that it gets caught up in crises that are not ours. And this prevents it from building its strategic autonomy. We want to have the best possible relationship with China. We want and we have to work with China to fix climate change, biodiversity crisis and a lot of conflicts in this world … We want to find the right way to respect each other,\" he said.
This independence of mind ensures smooth and productive relations, fostering a partnership that impacts daily lives in numerous ways.
As we reflect on the intimate and elevated China-France relationship, it's clear that this bond has a rich history and holds immense potential for future growth, continuing to shape our global landscape in meaningful ways.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
