Former French leader Chirac dies aged 86

Bill Carmichael, course leader on the International Public and Political Communication MA course at the University of Sheffield, told China Daily that Chirac had left a significant but flawed political legacy.

"I think he will be seen as a political change-coat who lacked any deep convictions. He became a champion of EU integration, but perhaps pushed the French people too quickly leading indirectly to the rise of the more Eurosceptic National Front," he said.

"He was also in favor of the dramatic expansion of the EU, which some people argue has created problems that persist today. But he also took a tough line against the Iraq war, and given what has happened to Iraq since then, many people will see that stance as vindicated."

Yao Shengqi in London contributed to this story.