BEIJING, May 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ --
Editor's Note:
Chinese President Xi Jinping is paying state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to
10 at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of the Republic of France, President Aleksandar Vucic of the Republic of Serbia and
President Tamas Sulyok and Prime
Minister Viktor Orban of
Hungary. Ahead of the Chinese
leader's visit to France, Global
Times reporter (GT) Chen Qingqing interviewed Eric
Alauzet (Alauzet), president of the France-China
Friendship Group in the French National Assembly, to talk about the
implications of the visit for China-France
relations, review the development of bilateral relations and
discuss the role of China-France
relations in China-EU
relations.
GT: What are your expectations for President Xi's visit to
Europe?
Alauzet: I wouldn't say that exchanges are resuming
because they have already resumed. During the COVID pandemic,
exchanges were a bit more strained. Exchanges have resumed since
President Macron visited China
last April. Now President Xi is coming to France for the 60th anniversary [of the
establishment of China-France
diplomatic relations], so it's an opportunity to deepen relations
and continue the dialogue as openly as we have been doing for a
long time, at all levels, from presidents and ministers to
parliamentarians in the friendship group. Despite the difficulties
or differences in views between [our two] countries, continuing to
speak openly is key.
GT: This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between China and
France. Could you share some
important historical moments and achievements from these 60 years
of China-France relations?
Alauzet: As we know, but perhaps less known to the
French, the number 60 holds significant importance in Chinese
culture. Personally, I have a deep understanding of this
significance, as it marks the completion of a cycle, and thus it's
a moment to take an assessment of what has happened during these 60
years. Overall, the assessment is very positive, and it's an
opportunity, especially with the 60th anniversary and the
China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, to revitalize and give
impetus to the new cycle that is beginning, in terms of the coming
60 years. So, it's an important opportunity to reinvigorate and
deepen our relations.
GT: Over the past 60 years, what have been the changes and
constants in China-France relations?
Alauzet: The changes are undoubtedly linked to the
deepening of relations between our two countries, a mutual
understanding that continues to deepen, a better understanding, and
thus the development of cultural and economic relations. But we
must consider the general context; the changes are also related to
the overall context, particularly in the economic field.
There have been industrial revolutions in China and technological revolutions worldwide
with artificial intelligence. So, all these developments have
contributed to the change and deepening of our relations, as well
as changes in geopolitical dynamics.
The constant factors are the mutual trust between our countries and
the curiosity and mutual admiration for our cultures. Both
cultures, each with several millennia of history, are so different,
and therefore so attractive because of their differences. This has
remained the same, while the changes, I would say, are mainly
linked to the world situation.
GT: In your opinion, what role do China-France
relations play in the context of China-EU relations? How will
Europe's position in Chinese
foreign policy evolve?
Alauzet: I believe both China and France - and also Europe - advocate for
multilateralism.
France and China share the responsibility of being
countries that avoid extremes and maintain balance, thus avoiding
both unilateralism and a bloc-to-bloc approach, which would be
equally detrimental. China places
great importance on France,
knowing that France has a measured
position in its alignment with the US, contributing to Europe finding its path and promoting
multilateralism.
GT: 2024 is the Year of Culture and Tourism between China and France, as well as the Olympic year for
France. Could you please share the
plans for cultural cooperation and exchanges between the two
countries for this special year? And what role do cultural and
human exchanges play in enhancing bilateral relations?
Alauzet: The primary and essential role of cultural
relations is that there is never any disagreement. In cultural
relations, there are enormous differences, but they assist our
curiosity and interest more than they provoke any potential
disapproval. So, cultural relations are always beneficial; they
enrich us through our differences.
Personally, due to my professional evolution as a doctor interested
in acupuncture, I have become passionate about Taoism. Taoism has
not only inspired my professional life as an acupuncturist but has
also influenced my personal life. I maintain my Western values, but
I am deeply influenced by Taoism. Culture is the foundation; it is
about emotion, sensitivity and bringing people closer.
With the 60th-anniversary celebration and this cultural year, there
are numerous events happening in both China and France. I had the opportunity to attend a
concert launched in the presence of the Minister of Culture at
Versailles, at the Royal Opera
House. It was a collaboration between our two orchestras, the Royal
Opera House of Versailles and the
Chinese orchestra, and it was fabulous. They performed French and
Chinese works together, creating extraordinary moments.
I also supported a cultural cooperation project organized by two
regions, involving the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, as I am based in
Besançon, and the city of Hefei in
Anhui Province. Recently, there
was an inauguration where more than 10 artists from France exhibited their works in Hefei. In the coming autumn, 10 Chinese
artists will exhibit their works in France. The program is very rich and it is
quite exceptional.
GT: In the fields of emerging technologies, sustainable
development and green energy, how can China and France seek new opportunities for
cooperation?
Alauzet: I am very happy to see China engaged in issues of biodiversity and
climate. I am very happy to see the rapid progress the Chinese are
making in new technologies such as solar, photovoltaic, wind, as
well as many others. I am delighted that China has joined the Paris Agreement to
contribute, with its own history and deadlines to carbon
neutrality.
France and Europe are also looking for ways to catch up
with gigafactories for batteries, which does not prevent Chinese
companies from developing collaborations in France and Europe for renewable energy production using
solar, wind and other sources. When technologies are implemented in
France, it should be done in
partnership with French private or public companies, a bit like a
gateway, and we should also take advantage of it to boost
technology in France and
Europe.
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SOURCE Global Times