Overview | Let a more dynamic Sino French friendship benefit the world - France is full of confidence and expectations for the future of Franco China relations from all walks of life

Paris, February 1st (Xinhua News Agency) - Overview | Let a more dynamic Sino French friendship benefit the world - French communities are full of confidence and expectations for the future of Franco China relations
Xinhua News Agency reporter
On the evening of January 31st, a concert was held at the Royal Opera House at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the opening of the Sino French Cultural and Tourism Year. During the Cultural Tourism Year, hundreds of exciting activities covering multiple fields throughout the year will shine one after another, building a broader and more dynamic stage for cultural integration and mutual learning between China and France.
Over the past 60 years, the increasingly close cultural exchanges between China and France have become a microcosm of the "Sino French spirit" of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and mutual benefit. French academic, cultural, and business figures have expressed that the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China 60 years ago was groundbreaking. Nowadays, cooperation between France and China has yielded fruitful results and is steadily moving forward, continuously injecting stability and positive energy into a world full of uncertainty. The next 60 years of Franco China relations are full of confidence and expectations.
French Chinese expert and writer Leia Bessie believes that the 60 year establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China reflects the pioneering cooperation between China and Western countries. The momentum of economic and trade development between France and China is strong, with frequent exchanges in the fields of culture, education, art, and sports, and fruitful cooperation results. Politically, the two countries work together to uphold multilateralism, actively address climate change, while also preserving their respective independence. In terms of global governance, cooperation between France and China is committed to building a more balanced world order. "The cooperation between France and China is rich and multidimensional, making significant contributions to world peace and stability."
Leia Bessie said, "In 2024, the Franco China Cultural Tourism Year and the Paris Olympics provide a unique stage for promoting cooperation between the two countries. We hope that these cultural and sports activities can promote better mutual understanding and respect between the two countries."
French sinologist Remy Matthews expressed the hope that the Franco Chinese Cultural Tourism Year can inject new impetus into the cooperation, especially academic and artistic exchanges, in the fields of culture and tourism between the two countries.

Christina Bier, editor in chief of the French newspaper "New Unity", believes that in the past 60 years, the friendship between France and China has never wavered, and the economic cooperation between the two countries has achieved fruitful results. "The biggest characteristic of the relationship between France and China is that two sovereign countries with a long history are willing to act for world peace and stability."

Catherine Ruggiery, the Director of Cultural Affairs at the French Ministry of Culture, who previously served as the General Coordinator of the French side's activities for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China, stated that the relationship between France and China is based on mutual understanding and respect for each other's cultures. "This year, we will focus on strengthening tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Cultural exchanges are like reaching out to each other and building a bridge connecting the peoples of the two countries."
Since 1750, one of the handwritten copies of the Analects Introduction, which is a French national ritual, has been preserved in the arsenal library under the French National Library. Director Olivier Bosk told Xinhua News Agency reporters that the two ancient civilizations of France and China are mutually attractive. France and China have a deep accumulation in the fields of art, fashion, and cuisine, and share a common taste. Cultural heritage is extremely important for both countries. The long-term cooperation in these fields is naturally reflected in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Bruno Guig, a French international expert who participated in writing works such as "Looking at China with an Open Eye", highly agrees with the "Sino French spirit". He said that mutual respect and understanding between France and China are the unshakable foundation of bilateral relations. The equal dialogue between France and China promotes world peace and development, and the two countries adhere to the original intention of the "Sino French spirit", which is respected by the whole world.
Fabriz Foulcard, Vice President and China Regional President of the French Electricity Group, who was the first to support the development of nuclear power in China, stated that the nuclear energy cooperation between France and China has been a 40 year industrial sharing and 40 years of common success, and has established strong mutual trust.
"Danone is a witness and beneficiary of the friendship between China and France, as well as a participant in China's new round of high-quality development," said Xie Weibo, President of Danone Group China, North Asia and Oceania, one of the earliest French companies to enter China
The Vice Chairman of the French China Friendship Association in Paris, France, Liazide Benhamy, said that the relationship between France and China is entering a new era, and both countries are committed to conducting dialogue within an open and multilateral framework. The current global challenges are numerous and conflicts are intensifying. Climate change will lead to economic, food, and immigration crises worldwide. The efforts of France and China to promote multilateralism are welcomed by other countries.
Natalie de Gaulle, the great granddaughter of Charles de Gaulle, told reporters that France and China have established a dynamic partnership from both cultural and economic perspectives. The future prospects of cooperation between the two countries are broad in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, addressing climate change, and protecting diversity. "I believe that there is a genuine friendship between the people of France and China, which will continue for the next 60 years." (Reporter: Tang Ji, Liu Fang, Qiao Benxiao, Zhang Baihui)