Franco-Sino ties rich, ascending
By Hu Xiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-10-09 11:34

Jacques Chirac's state visit to China will constitute "a major step in the reinforcement of French-Chinese ties," the French president's office said before the leader's China trip.

Chirac's trip comes on the heels of the Chinese Cultural Year in France, and ahead of the French Cultural Year in China - a two-year programme of cultural exchange between the two glorious civilizations which are celebrating 40 years of established diplomatic relations.

The official launch of the French Cultural Year in China will begin with an aerobatics display by the renowned Patrouille de France aerial team, overseen by Chirac. The event will be broadcast live on Chinese TV.

During the year, 179 varied events and programmes will be presented to show Chinese audiences a new and creative France.

China, the world's largest developing country, is undergoing great changes. France - very influential in world and European affairs - has maintained good momentum in bilateral relations with China, with the nations' all-round partnership making great progress.

First, the leaders of both countries attach great importance to their ties. Chirac has said he is very keen on developing Franco-Sino co-operation.

In recent years, mutual visits by the leaders of the countries, political dialogues and personal contacts have all achieved the best level in history.

In the previous year, the French prime minister, ministers of science, defence, economy, finance and industry, culture and internal affairs have visited China one after another with an unprecedented frequency.

Chirac made his last state visit to China in May 1997, and made a subsequent official visit in October 2000. Then-President Jiang Zemin and President Chirac declared the establishment of a comprehensive partnership between the two countries in 1997. Chinese President Hu Jintao made a four-day state visit to France in January.

On March 31, Hu talked by phone with Chirac. Chirac reiterated that the French Government would continue to adhere to its principled stance of firmly upholding the one-China policy, which Hu said he greatly appreciated.

Chirac stressed the French side would remain committed to constantly promoting a French-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang said that frequent high-level exchanges promote the "strategic dialogues" between the two sides.

In the past years, the relationship between China and France, which has been enriched and broadened constantly, has developed rapidly and with marked achievements, said Shen.

Continued co-operation, such as European-China dialogue on human rights and judicial co-operation between China and Europe has made headway, which has a lot to do with France's push.

New progress was made in trade and economic co-operation. China ordered 30 more Airbus jets from France.

A co-operative agreement on the Sichuan Baima Power Plant was signed. China Euro Securities Ltd, a joint venture by Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia and Xiangcai Securities Co Ltd, was inaugurated. France ordered four LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) carriers, at a cost of US$160 million each, from China.

China's TCL television-manufacturer merged with the TV section of the France-based Thomson SA.

Before his departure for Asia, Chirac declared at his presidential Elysee Palace that his trip also has mainly an economic aim, adding that economic ties between France and China are worthy of continueddevelopment.

Chirac made the remarks when receiving leaders of 17 small and medium-sized French businesses, with whom he will visit China, according to the AFP news agency.

Chirac said that his big ambition would be that small and medium-sized businesses can double their quantity in China in three years to 7,000 from today's 3,700.

Bilateral co-operation in culture, education and other fields has been increasingly dynamic.

The Chinese Culture Year was launched in France last October, marking the largest event in the history of China-France cultural exchanges and also the first time for China to try anything similar in a major Western country.

The two countries signed an agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications and diplomas last September.

Military-to-military relations continue to grow. The two sides staged their biggest joint naval exercise in March.

They were the most comprehensive military exercises ever held between China and a foreign country, according to Ju Xinchun, captain of the Chinese guided missile destroyer, Harbin.

The eight-hour exercises included ship and shipboard helicopter tactical maneuvres, refuelling exercises at sea, communication and search-and-rescue exercises, sources from the North China Sea Fleet said.

It is the 12th visit by French warships to China, including Hong Kong, since 1978, and the fourth to Qingdao, the base of the North China Sea Fleet.

China and France, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have enjoyed sound co-operation in the international affairs arena by strengthening their co-ordination and consultations.

Both foreign ministers maintain frequent meetings and phone conversations.

On May 26, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held phone conversations with French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, exchanging views mainly on the new draft resolution on the Iraqi issue by the Security Council.

Both sides reaffirmed China and France should strengthen co-ordination and that the UN should make efforts to help Iraq realize peace and stability.

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