Friends in a time of transformation

The author is an associate researcher at the Institute of European Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations. The two countries have well-established multi-level dialog and exchanges with a highlight an annual meeting between the two heads of state.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to France last March, Xi and his French counterpart Francois Hollande pledged to steer the China-France relationship into a new era of close and lasting comprehensive strategic partnership.

Half a century ago, French President Charles de Gaulle made a historic decision to forge diplomatic ties with China, the first major Western country to do so.

France and China share similar views on major issues. They both value the principle of independence and are against unilateralism and intervention in other countries' internal affairs.

Taking the 50th anniversary as an opportunity, the two countries restated that they would uphold the spirit of mutual understanding, visionary thinking and win-win cooperation, and step up coordination in fighting terrorism, dealing with climate change and maintaining regional and international peace.

Economic relations are an important part of Sino-French ties.

Although France is now the fourth-largest trading partner of China in the European Union, they want to further boost bilateral economic exchanges and explore new areas in addition to existing cooperation in high-speed trains, nuclear power and aerospace.

China is now in a stage of both economic and social transformation, which requires strengthening the development of small towns as well as the culture, tourism, services, modern agriculture, green food and renewable energy industries.

France is at the forefront of many of those industries in the world, which provides the two countries vast cooperation opportunities.

Last year, the two heads of state signed a Sino-French medium and long-term plan for China and France to develop cooperation in such fields as e-commerce, new energies, transportation, city services, food and drugs.

Since China and France value the importance of culture in diplomatic relations, cultural exchange are frequent and prospering.

Also, they are both committed to promoting cultural diversity. Communication of non-English culture is more valuable, especially in today's world when the English language is in an absolute dominant position.

Last year, China and France organized a group of art shows and exhibitions to celebrate their 50-year-long diplomatic relationship, which showcased the cultural relics and art treasures of the human civilization.

Sino-French cooperation in education has also deepened. A group of prestigious Chinese universities including the top two - Peking and Tsinghua - signed collaborative agreements with top French colleges and laboratories to jointly train more young talented people.

(China Daily 01/31/2015 page7)