Although there are only two sentences, the communiqué caused a sensation around the world after its release, and was praised as "diplomatic nuclear".
As everyone knows, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France was the result of the independent spirit, foresight, and assessment of the situation between the leaders of the two countries in the context of the Cold War. The world brings hope.
Since then, China and France have always adhered to this spirit of independence and continued to move forward, so that the relations between the two countries have maintained stable development after 60 years of vicissitudes. From a comprehensive partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, China and France have continuously promoted the development of bilateral relations to new heights.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, it is undoubtedly of great significance to review the original intention of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and summarize the development experience of the two countries over the past 60 years of development in bilateral relations. France continues to move forward in the midst of a century of change. 。
The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France has set an example for the world of independent development.
In the world of the 60s of the 20th century, NATO, led by the United States, used the outdated Cold War mentality to conduct bloc confrontation on a global scale, putting humanity on the brink of the outbreak of World War III.
But as the saying goes, "crisis" and "opportunity" always go hand in hand. At the most critical moment, an undercurrent of anti-Cold War is gradually forming. In 1959, General de Gaulle returned to power and assumed office in France. He pursued "Gaullistism," adhered to an independent foreign policy, and challenged US hegemony. In his first year in office, he ordered the withdrawal of command of the French Mediterranean Fleet, which had previously been commanded by NATO, and expelled the American bombers deployed in France. A few years later, it announced its withdrawal from NATO.
China and France have a high degree of convergence on the pursuit of independent diplomacy and opposition to hegemonism, which brought about a turning point in the relations between the two countries and finally led to the formal establishment of diplomatic relations.
It can be said that through exchanges and dialogues, China and France have set an example of independence in the world and promoted the formation of a multipolar trend in the world.
This is precisely the original intention of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
For China, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France is also of far-reaching significance. This was a great victory in diplomatic work since the founding of New China, and it completely bankrupted the US policy of blockading and strangling New China.
More importantly, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France has set a precedent for China to establish formal diplomatic relations with Western capitalist powers. From the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, to the breaking of the ice and the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, to China's decision to reform and open up, the occurrence of this series of major events has its own characteristics. It has its own inherent historical logic. In this sense, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France can be seen as an important step for China to open its doors and integrate into the international community.
Over the past 60 years, China and France have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries.
On January 25, a reception to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France was held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. In his speech, the President pointed out that over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, bringing benefits to the people of the two countries and contributing to world peace and stability. Develop. Indeed, in the 60-year extraordinary history of Sino-French relations, such pioneering experiences abound.
Politically, in 1973, the then French ** Pompidou visited China, becoming the first Western European head of state to visit China. Two years later, ** visited France, the first official visit of a Chinese leader to a Western country. In 1997, France became the first Western country to enter into a comprehensive partnership with China; In 2004, it became the first Western power to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.
In terms of economic and trade cooperation, Peugeot is the first foreign automobile company to enter the Chinese market; France was also the first Western country to sign an air transport agreement with China. In 1966, Air France launched the Paris-Shanghai route, which was the first cooperation between China and the West. The first domestic route. In addition, the Airbus A320 family aircraft Tianjin ** line is Airbus' first ** line outside Europe.
In the field of science and technology, China and France signed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement in 1978, which became the first scientific and technological cooperation agreement signed between China and a Western country. Of particular interest is the Sino-French cooperation in the field of nuclear power. France is the first Western country to cooperate with China in this area. From the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, which was led by France, to the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant, which was jointly built by China and France, it has written a successful story of win-win cooperation between China and France.
In the field of culture, the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris was established in 2002, becoming the first Chinese cultural center to be established in a Western country.
On the issue of climate change, which has a bearing on the destiny of mankind and the future, in 2015, China and France jointly promoted the historic Paris Agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
In the face of the ups and downs of the new era, China and France should uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, actively face the future, and dare to make a difference. ”
In April 2023, Macron completed his third visit to China as France**. During his visit to China, his remarks about "Europe's strategic independence" caused an uproar in the West. Why? There is a deep background of the times.
Today's world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Changes in the world, in the times, and in history are unfolding in unprecedented ways. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for almost two years, and a complete ceasefire has not yet been achieved. In October last year, a new round of conflict broke out between Palestine and Israel. This has had a huge impact on a world that is still struggling to recover from the pandemic three years later. Unilateral socialism and protectionism are rampant, and various "decoupling theories" have emerged one after another.
What is particularly worrying is that the United States, under the guise of "de-risking", has played up the "China threat" and resurrected bloc confrontation, formed factions, and coerced other countries to take sides, which has put the world in a difficult situation. The danger of falling back into the Cold War.
At the meeting with the chairman, Macron said that France adheres to independent diplomacy, advocates European strategic independence, and opposes confrontation and bloc confrontation. France will not take sides, but advocates solidarity and cooperation to maintain the stability of relations between major countries.
Macron's statement is undoubtedly a negation of the US position. No wonder it caused an uproar in the West.
During his visit to China, Macron was given a grand welcome by the Chinese side. The heads of state of China and France "moved" to Guangzhou after the talks in Beijing. In the pine garden at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, they appreciate the "high mountains and flowing water", taste the thousand-year-old tea rhyme, and discuss the rise and fall of the thousand-year-old tea. * Macron was briefed on the essential characteristics and core essence of China's ongoing Chinese-style modernization. Chinese modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development, which will bring greater opportunities to France and other countries around the world.
Xi Boya is good at drumming and piano, Zhong Ziqi is good at listening, and the landscape has a bosom friend.
Sixty years ago, in the spirit of independence and with far-sighted strategic vision, the leaders of China and France took the lead in breaking down the barriers of the Cold War and achieving a historic handshake. Sixty years later, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, we will take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point, inherit the baton of history, adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, continue to carry forward the traditional friendship, and push China-France relations to a new level.
The unique history of Sino-French relations has shaped the 'Sino-French spirit' of independence, mutual understanding, long-term vision, and mutual benefit. In the face of the ups and downs of the new era, China and France should uphold the original aspiration of establishing Sino-French cooperation. *The President said this in his speech at the reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. (Written by Liu Junling).