French ambassador supports China's fight against protectionism

France would like to work with China in its efforts to tackle protectionism and boost economic growth amid global sluggishness, the French ambassador to China said on Thursday.

Ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne made the remarks at a Sino-French economic symposium in Beijing.

France was open to more economic cooperation with China, and the countries have enhanced cooperation in areas including nuclear power and green urban construction, he said, adding that danger signs are apparent with many countries resorting to protectionism while facing economic headwinds.

The ambassador's commitment is in line with Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks last month in Peru during the APEC leaders meeting. Xi said "openness is vital for prosperity" and "the driving force for growth".

China and France have taken "an increasingly open attitude" with comprehensive economic cooperation, from China's involvement with Areva, France's state nuclear power group to China's purchase of airplanes from Airbus, the ambassador said.

The ambassador also highlighted that the two countries' cooperation has assumed a new feature of industrial upgrading, which is green, inclusive and innovative. French companies have established a series of R&D centers and factories, creating up to 600,000 job opportunities in China, he added.

"The cooperation in technology and innovation could play a very important role in Sino-French relations," said Yin Zonghua, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The council, a government agency responsible for the promotion of investment and business, was also a co-organizer of the symposium.

Innovation has been at the forefront in China's five key development concepts put forward in the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) and the country has made enhanced efforts to implement an innovation-driven development strategy.

"With matching development strategies and solid foundation for cooperation in innovation, China and France have a promising prospect of cooperation in fields like information technology, aviation, railways and energy saving," Yin added.

The symposium, a gathering of more than 300 delegates from companies and government agencies, was part of the French initiative "Creative France", aimed to reinforce its national image of innovation and industrial strength. Various activities have been launched in 10 countries so far.

Chen Qiqi contributed to this story.