At the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid an official visit to France on May 5. China and France are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical conflicts and a sluggish global economic recovery, the importance of this visit is self-evident.

Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have consistently been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the peoples of both countries and contributing to world peace, stability and development. As the title of President Xi's signed article published in France's Le Figaro says, 'Carrying Forward the Spirit of China-France Diplomatic Relations to Jointly Promote World Peace and Development.'

　　French President Macron speaks positively of President Xi's visit

On May 7 local time, after Chinese President Xi Jinping successfully concluded his state visit to France, French President Macron wrote the following in both French and Chinese on social media X: 'Thank you for the friendly and candid exchanges, which are crucial to the balance of our two countries and the world. Goodbye.'

In two days, he posted four times in Chinese, which shows how much Macron values China-France relations and the summit meeting between the two countries.

And his remarks in an interview with the French newspaper La Tribune were even more direct:

'I do not suggest that we keep our distance from China. Whether on climate issues or security issues, we need China.' — French President Macron

Some analyses point out that while some Western countries, in response to the US call, are considering 'decoupling and breaking chains' with China, Macron still hopes Europe will serve as a 'balancing force' and hopes China will continue to participate in global discussions. From a certain perspective, this is also an important step he has taken toward 'European strategic autonomy.'

Macron has consistently pushed for Europe to achieve genuine 'strategic autonomy.'

In 2019, he declared that 'NATO is experiencing brain death' and that Europe can no longer rely on the United States to defend it, otherwise it will 'no longer control its own destiny.'

In April last year, during his visit to China, Macron once again stressed that Europe must further promote strategic autonomy and become a 'third pole' beyond China and the United States.

On April 25 this year, in a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, Macron once again warned that 'Europe could die' unless Europe can achieve strategic autonomy.

　　French President Macron:We must clearly recognize a fact: Europe's situation today is fatal, it could die, and whether it ultimately dies will depend only on our choices.

Macron also stressed that Europe must show that it will never be a vassal of the United States and that it knows how to dialogue with all other regions of the world.

The overall strategy proposed by Macron reflects that Europe tends to be independent of the United States and to manage its relations with China autonomously. Amid US political uncertainty, Europe is now unwilling to put Washington's interests above its own. — Spanish geopolitical analyst Sebastián Trillo-Figueroa

Some analyses point out that while the United States puts 'America First' as its top priority, Europe is standing at a crossroads facing choices.

For Europe, achieving strategic autonomy is not only a policy shift but also a declaration of sovereignty, to shape its own destiny with new determination in a changing world.

　　60 years ago: China and France broke the ice and established diplomatic relations

This inevitably brings to mind the situation 60 years ago when China and France broke the ice and established diplomatic relations.

In 1945, when World War II ended, the surviving Western European countries were devastated and their production was in decline.

At that time, the United States launched the 'Marshall Plan' to aid Europe, which could be described as 'timely assistance.' With US help, European countries gradually recovered, but at the same time, through the 'Marshall Plan,' US influence and even control over Europe was further strengthened, and Europe became the frontline of the US-Soviet Cold War.

In 1959, de Gaulle was re-elected President of France. He was unwilling to continue being a pawn of the United States and was determined to pursue an independent foreign policy. He publicly pointed out that if France wanted to regain its status as a major power, it could not ignore the existence of New China.

In 1964, defying US opposition, de Gaulle took the lead among Western major powers in recognizing New China.

　　Then French President Charles de Gaulle:As the weight of evidence and reason grows day by day, the French Republic has decided to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

He also confidently stated: 'France's recognition of China is merely recognizing the world as it is.'

　　Former French Ambassador to China Martin:It is obvious that de Gaulle's decision at the time was intended to cause a sensation in the diplomatic world.

On January 27, 1964, the governments of China and France simultaneously issued a joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations in Beijing and Paris: 'The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the French Republic have unanimously decided to establish diplomatic relations. To this end, the two governments have agreed to appoint ambassadors within three months.'

At the time, these brief two sentences almost detonated the international public opinion arena, with some Western media even calling it 'a sudden diplomatic nuclear explosion.' In the view of then US Secretary of State Rusk, it was tantamount to 'tearing a crack in an airtight iron plate.'

Years later, Claude Chayet, who served as the first French Ambassador to China, recalled his time in Beijing this way.

　　First French Ambassador to China Claude Chayet:This was undoubtedly one of the most interesting periods of my diplomatic career. Discovering (understanding) Chinese civilization and Asian civilization, discovering a people worthy of my admiration, was a huge shock to me.

With France taking the lead, other European countries also began to follow suit.

In 1970, Italy established diplomatic relations with New China; in 1971, Belgium established diplomatic relations with China; in 1972, the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations with New China; in 1973, Spain established diplomatic relations with New China. The rapidly changing New China quickly opened up a new diplomatic landscape.

　　President of the French Constitutional Council and former Prime Minister Fabius:Sixty years ago, France became the first major Western country to recognize the People's Republic of China, which was a bold step at the time. Since then, (China-France) bilateral relations have been closely linked, enabling France and China to jointly address major global issues.

　　China-France cooperation: a 'two-way journey'

Over the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-France relations have not only had precious history, unique value and an important mission, but also broad-ranging practical cooperation.

France was not only the first major Western country to establish ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations with New China, but also created several 'firsts' in other fields.

France was the first Western country to carry out civilian nuclear energy cooperation with China.

As early as 1982, China and France signed a protocol on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. China's first large commercial nuclear power plant, the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, adopted French nuclear power technology. Électricité de France (EDF) participated throughout the design, construction and operation of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant.

Marcel Rist, former Executive Vice President of Électricité de France. In the 1980s, he served as technical manager of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant project. From that time on, he participated in the close cooperation between China and France in the nuclear power field over decades and is an important witness to the friendly exchanges between the two countries.

　　Former Executive Vice President of Électricité de France Marcel Rist:When I came to China in the 1980s, I first went to Shenzhen, at that time to negotiate a contract for building a nuclear power plant in Shenzhen. It was at the time when Shenzhen began to establish its special economic zone, so I was able to witness China's development, first through the special economic zones, then the port cities, and finally the whole of China.

At present, the world is accelerating its transition to clean energy, and nuclear power, with its low-carbon emission advantages, will play an important role in the future.

　　Former Executive Vice President of Électricité de France Marcel Rist:The energy transition is obviously a major issue for the whole world, but I believe France and China play a special role and bear special responsibility.

China and France have a decades-long history of cooperation in the nuclear energy field. In this process, technical personnel from both sides have learned from each other, inspired each other and improved together, writing a successful story of win-win cooperation between China and France.

　　Former Executive Vice President of Électricité de France Marcel Rist:What I want to say is that one side does not hinder the other; this is a common interest that transcends borders and nations. Therefore, I hope that for our bilateral relations, France and China can find a path of genuine cooperation.

France was also the first Western country to hold cultural years and establish cultural centers with China on a reciprocal basis.

In 2024, China and France will take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympics as opportunities to continue jointly deepening exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, aerospace, culture, education, sports and tourism.

Accor, a globally leading hotel group, has more than 5,400 hotels worldwide. In recent years, Accor has occupied a large share of the Chinese market through cooperation with numerous Chinese domestic enterprises. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the 60th anniversary of the founding of the group's Sofitel hotels.

　　CEO of Accor Greater China Gary Rosen:I think we all recognize that when you put these two countries together, you get '1+1 equals 10.'

Rosen, who has worked and lived in China for nearly 20 years, said that by 2035 China will become the world's largest travel market, which is worth vigorously cultivating.

　　CEO of Accor Greater China Gary Rosen:Especially for us, China offers many opportunities. The number of hotels (over the years) has been growing, and one needs to (continuously) learn in order to grow, which is greatly beneficial for cultivating one's own brand growth.

David Gosset, a French expert on international affairs and international relations, is also a sinologist. Since first coming to China in 1996, he began studying China. In his eyes, China's development and changes over the past two decades have been 'absolutely enormous.'

　　French expert on international affairs and international relations David Gosset:In my view, some Europeans do not yet know enough about China. I would tell them to come to China and talk with Chinese people. You will see how open they are to cooperation, which in fact creates conditions for global progress.

Indeed, over the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the economies of China and France have formed a strong symbiotic relationship in which each is embedded in the other.

According to statistics from China's Ministry of Commerce, over the past 60 years, the bilateral trade volume between China and France has grown nearly 800 times compared with the early days of diplomatic relations, reaching 78.9 billion US dollars, and cumulative two-way investment has exceeded 26 billion US dollars. In the first two months of this year, France's direct investment in China increased by 585.8% year on year.

From cheese, wine and cosmetics to aircraft, satellites and nuclear power plants, China-France cooperation encompasses both 'everyday life' and 'the stars and the sea.' China is France's largest trading partner in Asia, and France is China's third-largest trading partner within the EU and third-largest source of actual investment.

On May 6, the sixth meeting of the China-France Business Council was successfully held in Paris.

Barbara Frei, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric, said that Schneider continues to invest in China because it is 'absolutely confident in the development prospects of the Chinese market.' She said that today's China has become a more mature economy, and the Chinese market is full of vitality, with challenges but even more opportunities.

　　China-EU cooperation yields fruitful results

It is worth noting that the significance of China-France relations goes far beyond the scope of ordinary bilateral relations. Especially against the current backdrop of Europe facing severe internal and external challenges, China-France relations also largely lead China-EU relations.

In recent years, China-EU cooperation, represented by China-France cooperation, has continued to bear fruit.

In 2023, 17,000 China-Europe freight train trips were operated, connecting 219 cities in 25 European countries; China has expanded its 'visa-free' circle of friends, enhancing China-EU personnel exchanges and cooperation.

China and the EU are each other's second-largest trading partners. In 2023, the China-EU trade volume in goods reached as high as 783 billion US dollars, with trade exchanges averaging nearly 1.5 million US dollars per minute...

As 'Belt and Road' cooperation projects continue to advance, China-EU mutually beneficial cooperation is moving onto the fast track.

On May 8, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Yixin'ou China-Europe freight train service, a departure ceremony for the commemorative China-Europe freight train marking the 10th anniversary was held in Madrid, the capital of Spain.

　　Commercial representative of Valencia, Spain, José Álvaro:Before the China-Europe freight trains were launched, trade between China and Europe could only rely on sea transport, but the launch of the China-Europe freight trains has provided us with great convenience.

The China-Europe Commercial, Trade and Logistics Cooperation Park, located in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was established in November 2012 and is the first commercial, trade and logistics-type overseas economic and trade cooperation zone built by China in Europe.

At present, the China-Europe Commercial, Trade and Logistics Cooperation Park is planning to build a 20,000-square-meter smart warehouse in the Vác cross-border e-commerce industrial park, 30 kilometers north of Budapest, to provide cross-border e-commerce warehousing services. The warehouse will be equipped with intelligent robots and can handle 45,000 to 55,000 items per hour.

　　President of the China-Europe Commercial, Trade and Logistics Cooperation Park Gábor Gócza:We have been very busy recently with a lot to do. We have invested 27 billion in this new warehouse.

As China has repeatedly stressed, in today's world, China and the EU, as two important forces, should adhere to the partner positioning, persist in dialogue and cooperation, promote the stable and healthy development of China-EU relations, and continuously make new contributions to world peace and development.

Sixty years ago, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France built a bridge between East and West and also pushed international relations to evolve in the direction of dialogue and cooperation; over the past 60 years, the two sides have continuously expanded cooperation areas, with rich and colorful exchanges and mutual learning and fruitful practical cooperation. Looking to the future, we look forward to the next 60 years, upholding the spirit of China-France diplomatic relations, joining hands in close cooperation, bringing a better life to the peoples of both countries, and making more new contributions to world peace and development!