China, France should be careful in bilateral relations

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-07 18:02

BEIJING -- A former senior Chinese diplomat on Wednesday said that China and France should be more careful in their relations so they can avoid further "unpleasant" experiences.

"Every country has some sensitive issues. If you insist on challenging these issues, bilateral relations will be undermined," said Wu Jianmin, a former ambassador to France, in a press conference at the Beijing International Media Center.

Wu cited disruptions of the Olympic torch relay in Paris involving Tibet activists in April, saying they had "antagonized the Chinese people".

As a former ambassador to France, he believed these incidents should have been avoided.

However, he said, the "unpleasant issue" was in the past, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had threatened to boycott the Games, had finally decided to take part in the opening ceremony.

Wu said China would welcome Sarkozy.

Wu, now a professor with the China Foreign Affairs University, said the basis of China-France relations lay in their mutual interests, which had been developing rapidly.

"Relations between countries are like relations between people," said Wu. "If you don't like something, then I should mind my actions to avoid making things unpleasant."

He expressed hope that the two countries would take a more careful attitude in dealing with issues in bilateral relations.