60 years ago, France was the first Western power to formally establish diplomatic relations with New China. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France has opened the door to exchanges and cooperation between China and the West. For the past 60 years, China France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, setting a model for peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation among countries with different social systems in the international community. What are the impressions of the Chinese and French people towards the two countries? What makes the two countries constantly "two-way travel"?
Mutual benefit and win-win situation promote the continuous expansion of the scope of Sino French cooperation
When it comes to France, what is the first impression of the Chinese people? Some say Napoleon, the Eiffel Tower, others say Notre Dame in Paris, the Louvre, and others say French perfume and cosmetics, Picasso, Alandron, and the Paris Olympic Games.
What is the first impression of China for French people? We interviewed some French people in China, who had their first impression of China in terms of food, language, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and ancient history, as well as the enthusiasm of Chinese people. In addition, electric vehicles, electronic payments, and so on are also answers given by French friends who were interviewed by us. In their eyes, China's development is very fast, often making them unbelievable.
From everyone's answers, we can feel the constantly expanding exchanges and exchanges between China and France since the establishment of diplomatic relations 60 years ago.
The latest data from the National Immigration Administration shows that in the first four months of this year alone, the number of Chinese mainland residents leaving for the French has reached about 130000, an increase of over 215% compared to the same period last year. The number of French nationals entering China has also increased by nearly 300% compared to the same period last year. We have also noticed that business has become one of the main reasons for the entry of both parties.
In recent years, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has become increasingly close. Currently, France is China's third largest trading partner and third largest source of actual investment within the European Union, and China is France's largest trading partner in Asia. From January to February this year, France's direct investment in China increased by as much as 585.8% year-on-year. What has led Chinese and French companies to continuously "go both ways" in recent years?
French businessman Ren Bo, who has been doing business in China for more than 20 years, shared his feelings with a reporter from Blue Hall Observer. Ren Bo said that 20 years ago, many French companies that came to China for development were engaged in the wine, energy, and textile industries. However, now, more companies that come to China come from high-tech fields, including those engaged in biotechnology, healthcare, artificial intelligence, robotics, automobiles, and other fields. Many French companies come to China to cooperate and invest in product development. The development of China provides opportunities for French companies to continue developing and establishing positive partnerships. He also said, "Chinese enterprises are also very powerful now, and many Chinese enterprises also need to expand their development in foreign countries. Therefore, if you develop, we will also develop because we are developing together now, and we are all mutually beneficial.".
Ren Bo told Blue Hall Observer that in China, he sees infinite possibilities for development. In the 20 years since starting his business in China, he has expanded his restaurant business from a few square meters to a few hundred square meters, and his consulting company has grown from a few to hundreds of clients, many of whom are French Fortune 500 companies that have come to China for development.
Ren Bo's experience is just a microcosm of the development of Sino French economic and trade. When China and France established diplomatic relations in 1964, the trade volume between the two countries was only about 100 million US dollars, but by 2023, the trade volume between China and France had reached 78.9 billion US dollars, an increase of nearly 800 times.
Both "high precision and cutting-edge" and "down-to-earth" are mutually beneficial and win-win, driving the continuous expansion of the scope of Sino French cooperation. Currently, trade in services, digital technology, and green technology are becoming new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
French President Macron recently stated in a media interview that he must make every effort to engage with China on major global issues, especially in the areas of climate change and biodiversity. Without China, it would be difficult to make progress. Cui Hongjian, Director of the European Union and Regional Development Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, stated in an interview with Blue Hall Observer that between China and France, both trade and investment have shown a stable growth state, fully reflecting not only the strong complementarity between the two sides in the industrial field, but also the current trend of forming a strong alliance in other aspects. It is precisely because China and France adhere to the principles of pragmatic cooperation and win-win cooperation that both sides are able to continuously overcome various problems they face. As long as China, France, and China Europe both prioritize economic development and pay more attention to the balance between development and security, both sides will continuously create greater cooperation space for each other, and also create conditions for China Europe relations, continuously solidify the foundation, and constantly point out the direction.
Cultural Exchange Blooms in Multiple Spots: Starting from the Heart in Bilateral Relations
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 60 years ago, while China and France have continued to promote cooperation in the field of economy and trade, the cultural fever between China and France has also been constantly heating up. During last year's "Sino French Cultural Spring" art festival alone, over 20 cities in China launched over 65 cultural projects. Last year, the Paris China Cultural Center also held over 150 various activities covering topics such as Chinese history, traditional culture, and natural scenery. The continuous deepening of mutual learning between civilizations has enabled the two countries to have close relationships and also promoted exchanges between China and France from a "heart" perspective.
Located in the cultural center of France in Beijing, the Chinese and French film screenings held here every weekend are often hard to come by. The library, which houses cultural books from both countries, attracts readers from China and France, and thousands of people come here every year to learn French. Here we have found the French version of the Book of Songs. The Book of Songs is the earliest collection of poems in China. As early as the 18th century, eight of its poems were translated into French. In addition, the Confucian classic "The Analects" had a French version in the 17th century. It can be said that culture is the earliest window for the people of both countries to get to know each other. Today, Chinese and French cultures still build a "heart to heart bridge" between the two historically rich countries.
Currently, cultural exchanges between China and France have blossomed in many places. Last year alone, China held over 200 Sino French cultural exchange activities during the 17th Sino French Cultural Spring Art Festival. And France is also one of the earliest countries in Europe to incorporate Chinese into the national education system and have national curriculum development. This year, the two countries have once again embarked on the China France Cultural Tourism Year, with popular exhibitions such as the Palace of Versailles and the Forbidden City, reflecting the growing desire of the Chinese and French people to understand each other.
Cui Hongjian, Director of the European Union and Regional Development Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told Blue Hall Observer that cultural exchanges between China and France are showing a strong trend towards each other, which will obviously lay a more solid public opinion foundation for bilateral relations, provide a better and more stable foundation for cooperation in the political and economic fields, and bring tangible benefits to the relationship between the two countries.
Recently, French singer Gabriel is creating his seventh original Chinese album released in China, telling the story of his friendship between China and France. In 2006, he and his Chinese wife formed China's first Sino French group and have released over 60 original Chinese songs to date.
Gabriel told Blue Hall Observer that there is a continuous flow of brotherhood and friendship between the Chinese and French peoples, and everyone will make every effort to continue this and encourage more and more people to participate in cultural exchanges.
For a period of time, from the singing of "If I Go to China" by French children's voices, to the joint performance of "From Chang'an Street to the Champs - É lys é es" by Chinese and French musicians, the people of the two countries have been expressing their love for each other's culture and expectations for friendship in their own ways during the process of getting to know and getting to know each other.
+86-538-5073088
