French firm sees new era in China

Relationship of companies shifts as nation moves up industrial ladder

France, which has a long history of aiding China's nuclear development, wants to cooperate with the country on a more equal basis to win bids in third markets.

"Our relationship with China is no longer a teacher-student relationship," said Herve Machenaud, executive vice-president and head of the Asia-Pacific branch of French power giant Electricite de France SA.