Stronger China-France cooperation will help prevent new divisions in a fractious world

In 1958, the Fifth Republic was established in France. General Charles de Gaulle, back in office, pursued an independent foreign policy and attached greater importance to enhancing relations with China.

In 1963, former French prime minister Edgar Faure briefed President de Gaulle about his visit to China, describing how Chairman Mao welcomed him with the words: “You arrive on time.”

Three months later, on Jan 27, 1964, China and France issued a joint communique, announcing the establishment of diplomatic relations. It marked the first major Western country to recognize the People’s Republic of China since 1950. It was an important step because of the significant light it shed not only on Sino-French ties but on the wider dynamics in Sino-European relations during the decisive period in the 1960s and early 1970s.

READ MORE: Xi toasts special China-France friendship

France and China, while standing firm by their principles, showed flexibility in the negotiations to accommodate as much as they could the concerns of the other side. Both secured diplomatic relations with a practical and forthcoming approach, setting a fine example of the art of negotiation.

And 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of France’s recognition of the PRC, yielding an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their cooperation and friendship. It is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

As a student in 1999, I recall witnessing then Chinese president Jiang Zemin walking down the streets of Lyon, through the old quarters of Saint-Jean, with then French president Jacques Chirac.

Last year, on his first visit to Guangzhou, I had the chance to visit Shamian island with French President Emmanuel Macron and Sylvain Fourriere, our consul general in South China. We talked about Lingnan culture, Guangdong province, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and also about the crucial functions and missions being played by our civil institutions such as the French Chamber of Commerce in China, Business France, and Alliance Francaise that are always trying to build bridges between the two cultures.

The 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties is taking place against the backdrop of an incredibly special and unstable context, but France has been continuously trying to have a comprehensive and consistent long-term vision of China.

Scientific and technological cooperation between France and China has been a cornerstone of the relationship. From aerospace and the nuclear civil industry to renewable energy, the two countries have made significant strides in joint research and development, while also cooperating in fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotech, and agriculture.

The next step in France-China cooperation should be in new emerging technologies such as computational neurocognitive sciences, artificial intelligence, and quantum mechanics. France and China can pool their resources to deepen cooperation and tackle global challenges.

The two sides are committed to pursuing discussions on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, maintaining a genuine dialogue that differs from others.

China and France have the ability to inspire others to communicate and spread new narratives, while new collaborative innovation can encourage the global community to aspire for a future marked by cohesiveness.

Seizing the occasion presented by the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China is willing to reinforce dialogue, deepen and expand cooperation, and push bilateral economic and trade relations to a new level. France is also willing to boost communication with China to inject new momentum into Sino-French economic and trade cooperation.

In an interview with Xinhua News two months ago, former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius said that China and France are both committed to independence as well as multilateralism and peace. “We do not want a bloc policy, with the risks of conflicts that this entails,” he said.

Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed the same ideas, that China and France should strengthen strategic coordination and deepen cooperation to contribute to global peace and stability.

President Macron and President Xi Jinping met in Paris this week to celebrate and to open up a new page of China-France friendly relations. In these complicated times, let us not focus on economic hostility, but rather on cooperation and common dialogue. China should better understand France’s leading role in the European Union, its influence among emerging countries, and its positive role in advancing multilateralism and cultural diversity. As for France, it needs to be more inclusive toward China’s development.

ALSO READ: Strengthening of Sino-French friendship will also be a boon for rest of the world

It is time for the whole world to adopt symbiotic cooperation and technological innovation rather than succumb to misguided isolationism and disruptive protectionism.

Progress and advancements in technology have catalyzed a shift in the focus of strategic competition between major powers. New mechanisms are highly needed, and France and China can be even more committed to building an innovation-driven development architecture and a more inclusive international order, while striving for peace and development.

As the world undergoes profound historical changes, the French believe in engagement with China based on friendship and effective diplomacy. There is a need for interdependence based on mutually beneficial support built on the foundation of mutual trust. By joining hands, China and France will help prevent and avert new divisions in this shattered world, instilling hope that both countries will play a positive role in conflict resolutions.

The author is executive vice president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China. 

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.