China News Service, Beijing, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Interview with Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye: Enlightenment for the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
China News Service reporter Ma Delin.
The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. In an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Service a few days ago, Lu Shaye, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chinese ambassador to France, described the enlightenment of the 60 years of exchanges between the two countries as "taking a long-term view, being independent and self-reliant, and seeking common ground while reserving differences."
On January 27, 1964, China and France issued a joint communiqué announcing the establishment of diplomatic relations, and France became the first Western power to formally establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Lu Shaye said: Based on their insights into the international situation and the future and destiny of mankind, the leaders of the older generation of the two countries have resolutely decided to break the iron curtain of the Cold War. In the following 60 years, although Sino-French relations have experienced some twists and turns, and have been affected by changes in the international situation, the general direction has not changed on the whole.
On January 26, local time, France issued stamps for the Year of the Dragon, adding a strong festive atmosphere to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The picture shows Lu Shaye (right), Chinese Ambassador to France, General Manager of European International Affairs of La Poste Verswell, and Zodiac stamp designer Chen Jianghong jointly displaying the stamps at the ceremony. (*From China News Service).
It's like a big ship in the sea, although the waves are rough, but still maintain a correct course. Lu Shaye said that in this process, the leaders of the two countries have a far-sighted view and play a role in orienting the rudder. Today, 60 years later, the two countries still have to "climb high and look far," proceed from their respective fundamental interests, and focus on their relations from the perspective of the general international trend.
The spirit of independence has laid the foundation for Sino-French relations. Lu Shaye believes that China and France have a tradition of independence and self-determination, and they are unwilling to follow the crowd, and always consider and handle major issues in bilateral relations based on the interests of their own people and the overall situation of the future and destiny of mankind.
It was in this spirit that General de Gaulle broke through the barrier of the Cold War and made the decision to establish diplomatic relations with China. Lu Shaye pointed out that this spirit is both precious and a challenge to France.
At present, France is China's third largest partner in the EU and the third largest actual investor. China is France's largest partner in Asia and the seventh largest partner in the world. The two countries have close bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture, and education.
Lu Shaye said that China and France have a wide range of common interests: in the field of economy and trade, the two countries have achieved remarkable results in cooperation in nuclear energy and aircraft manufacturing; On the international stage, the two countries jointly uphold multilateralism and share many similar positions. He stressed that China has always maintained that the common interests of China and France are the mainstream, and the points of divergence are tributaries, which should not become an obstacle to cooperation between the two sides. He further pointed out that the differences between the two sides are precisely where they can learn from each other, "cultural borrowing, economic complementarity, even if it is a political difference, you can listen to each other." ”
Speaking about the impact of the development of Sino-French relations on Sino-European relations, Lu Shaye said that France is a big European country and a big European Union country, and China hopes that France can play a leading role in the European Union, lead other European countries to eliminate misunderstandings and misgivings about China, and put Sino-European relations on a healthy track.
How does Europe view the evolution of the current international landscape, how can it grasp its own future and destiny, and take the path of independent development? Lu Shaye believes that this is a major issue for European countries in the context of the United States stepping up its efforts to allies, especially European countries. From this perspective, the 60 years of cooperation and exchanges between China and France can also inspire the development of China-EU relations.
Lu Shaye said that the "Sino-French spirit" summarized by the Chinese leaders, that is, independence, mutual understanding, far-sightedness, and mutual benefit and win-win results, also applies to China-EU relations. If China and the EU can follow these four principles, I believe that many problems between the two sides will be easily resolved. (ENDS).