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2023 France–China Summit

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The 2023 France–China summit was a three-day state visit by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, to China from April 5 to 7, 2023. It was Macron's first visit to China since the COVID-19 pandemic and his third since taking office in 2017. He was accompanied by a delegation of more than 50 CEOs and met with members of the French business community in China. He also met with Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, to discuss various issues. By recalling the solid foundation of China-France relations and the friendship between the two peoples, the two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, China-EU relations and major international and regional issues, especially the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and China's potential role as a mediator between Russia and the West.[5] The visit was seen as an attempt to "reconnect" with China after three years of its zero-Covid policy and despite Beijing's increasing benevolence to Russia in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war.[6][7]

2023 France–China summit
2023年法中国事访问
Macron, Jinping, and von der Leyen in 2023[1]
Host country China
DateApril 5–7, 2023
Venue(s)Hôtel Métropole, Hanoi
Great Hall of the People, Beijing
Guangzhou, Guangdong
ParticipantsFrance Emmanuel Macron, President of France
European Union Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
China Xi Jinping, CCP General Secretary & President of China
Key points
  • Discussions on the war in Ukraine and China’s role as a mediator[2]
  • Signing of several economic and cultural agreements[3]
  • Strengthening of the strategic partnership between France, the EU and China[4]

Background edit

Macron had visited China twice before, in January 2018 and November 2019. During his first visit, he announced a "comprehensive strategic partnership" between France and China and signed several agreements on trade, climate change, nuclear energy and culture. He also presented Xi with a horse named Vesuvius as a gift.[8] During his second visit, he attended the China International Import Expo in Shanghai and met with Xi in Beijing. He also invited Xi to visit France for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024.[9] However, since then, the relations between China and France, as well as between China and the European Union, have been strained by several factors. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, which was first identified in China, led to Beijing effectively shutting its borders to travel and imposing strict quarantine measures on incoming visitors. This hampered the exchange of people and goods between China and other countries, including France.[10]

Visit edit

Beijing edit

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, President of the Constitutional Council Laurent Fabius, a number of ministers and parliamentarians, as well as more than 60 heads of large enterprises and more than 20 cultural figures will accompany the delegation.[11] Macron meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 6 and holds talks with new Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During the meeting, Li highlighted that China is willing to work with France to push the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level. Macron stated that France supports China's development and is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of trade, agriculture, aviation, finance, nuclear energy, innovation, tourism and humanities.[12]

Cultural exchanges are also an important part of Macron's trip.[13] China and France have discussed they were willing to convene a new round of meetings of the mechanism for high-level cultural exchanges at an early date. Macron has invited French director Jean-Jacques Annaud, actress Gong Li and her husband, French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre and other cultural figures to accompany him on his visit to China.[14][15] On the day of his arrival in Beijing, Macron inaugurated the opening ceremony of the "Sino-French Cultural Spring" festival. He appeared on stage with Huang Bo, the festival's publicity ambassador.[16]

 
China-France-EU Talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

In contrast to Macron's warm reception in China, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is also visiting China,[17] was apparently given a cold reception.[18] On the afternoon of April 6, President Xi Jinping met with Von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People. Xi stated that China and the EU should strengthen communication, establish correct mutual perceptions and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. Von der Leyen said the European Union totally disagrees with the idea of "delinking and breaking the chain" and hopes to strengthen communication and dialog with the Chinese side and restart the three dialogue mechanisms. On the Taiwan issue mentioned by von der Leyen,[19] Xi emphasized that the Taiwan issue is at the core of China's core interests, and "anyone who expects China to compromise and back down on the Taiwan issue is delusional, and will only be lifting a rock and hitting his own foot."[20][21]

Guangzhou edit

French President Macron visits Sun Yat-sen University and interacts with students on April 7

On April 7, President Emmanuel Macron visited Sun Yat-sen University, which became the first in Southern China to launch a French department in 1957.[22] At Sun Yat-sen University, President Macron was warmly welcomed and entertained by the faculty and students.[23][24]

In the afternoon of April 7, President Xi Jinping held an informal meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Songyuan, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province.[25] Xi briefed Macron on the essential features and core tenets of Chinese-style modernization. Macron said that true friendship is mutual understanding and mutual respect. France appreciates China's consistent support for France and Europe to adhere to independence, autonomy and unity, and is willing to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and other core interests, strengthen technical and industrial cooperation, open up bilateral markets, and strengthen scientific and technological cooperation, such as artificial intelligence, so as to help each other to realize the development and revitalization of the country.[26]

On the evening of April 7, the two sides issued the Joint Declaration of the People's Republic of China and the French Republic,[27][28][29] including much of interest on trade, nuclear war, the war in Ukraine, the food crisis, climate change, multilateral international system, etc.[30]

Trade relations edit

French business leaders, including Airbus and Alstom officials, accompanied Macron to the summit in China.[31][32][33]

Plans for a new Airbus assembly line in China were announced by Macron during the summit.[34] Airbus will add this second assembly line for A320 narrow-body aircraft at its plant in Tianjin, producing up to 75 A320 NEO family aircraft per month by 2026. In addition, China has purchased 150 A320 NEO aircraft and 10 A350 aircraft.[35][36][37]

Électricité de France has renewed its global cooperation agreement with China General Nuclear Power Group, which has been in force since 2007, covering the design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants.[38] The company has a joint venture with CGNPC to build the world's first European Pressurized Water Reactor Generation III nuclear power plant in Taishan, Guangdong.[39]

CMA CGM has worked with COSCO and Shanghai Port Group to develop biofuels. The company has reached new agreements in China for the supply of bio-methanol and e-methanol and signed deals to build new ships in China.[40]

GDF SUEZ signed a seawater desalination cooperation project with Wanhua Chemical Group and China Railway Shanghai Engineering Bureau Group, further expanding the cooperation between the three parties in the field of environmental protection.[41] Alstom signed an agreement to supply electrical equipment for the Chengdu Metro.[42] L'Oreal and Alibaba signed a three-year strategic cooperation agreement.[43]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Macron and von der Leyen visit increasingly distant China". Le Monde. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Macron and von der Leyen visit increasingly distant China". Le Monde. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  3. ^ "Airbus in Talks for New China Jet Order Ahead of Macron Visit". Skift. April 3, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "President Xi Jinping Holds China-France-EU Trilateral Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen". 中华人民共和国外交部. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  5. ^ Wong, Hayley (2023-04-07). "China, France make peace pledge on Ukraine as Macron caps trip with Xi meeting". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  6. ^ "Macron and von der Leyen visit increasingly distant China". Le Monde. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "China holds key to peace in Ukraine, says Macron". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Macron offers China horse as state visit begins". BBC News. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Macron in China to seek more access for French companies". France 24. November 6, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  10. ^ "Coronavirus: How is China using its influence in the EU? Analysis by Euronews expert". Euronews. March 26, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2023.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "马克龙率"豪华阵容"抵京，释放积极信号丨世界观-中新网". 中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 (in Chinese). 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  12. ^ "重要新闻_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  13. ^ "这场开幕式上，马克龙与黄渤互动了！". 解放网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  14. ^ "French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre headed to China". France 24. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  15. ^ "马克龙,黄渤,握手,法国". 首页 - 美国中文网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  16. ^ "法国总统马克龙与中国演员黄渤共同为第17届"中法文化之春"揭幕". 中国日报网 (in Chinese). 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  17. ^ "EU's von der Leyen to visit China April 5-7". Reuters. 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  18. ^ "Macron and Von der Leyen's last day in China, Xi, Macron to hold informal talks in Guangzhou". CDE News - The Dispatch - Local Perspective. 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  19. ^ Bermingham, Finbarr (2023-04-19). "European Union chief cautions Beijing against taking Taiwan". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  20. ^ "重要新闻_中华人民共和国外交部". 中华人民共和国外交部 (in Chinese). 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  21. ^ "习近平会见冯德莱恩：指望中国在台湾问题妥协退让是痴心妄想". 联合早报 (in Chinese). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  22. ^ "马克龙访广州中山大学 缘起中法教育交流史". 星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines (in Chinese). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  23. ^ Rose, Michel (2023-04-07). "At elite Chinese university, Macron hails 'critical thinking'". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  24. ^ "Macron mobbed at university on final day of China trip". France 24. 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  25. ^ Jiangtao, Shi (2023-04-05). "Macron and Xi's Guangzhou rendezvous a sign of China's enthusiasm, analysts say". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  26. ^ "习近平同法国总统马克龙在广州非正式会晤__中国政府网". 中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站 (in Chinese). 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  27. ^ "Déclaration conjointe entre la République française et la République populaire de Chine". elysee.fr (in French). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  28. ^ "中华人民共和国和法兰西共和国联合声明（全文）-新华网". 新华网_让新闻离你更近 (in Chinese). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  29. ^ "中法联合声明：共同致力为国际安全挑战寻求基于国际法的解决方案". 世界频道-财新网 (in Chinese). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  30. ^ The American Conservative; Snider, Ted (2023-04-17). "The Most Important Line in the China-France Joint Statement". The American Conservative. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  31. ^ "Macron to take French business leaders to China next week, despite EU calls to 'de-risk' ties". South China Morning Post. 1 April 2023.
  32. ^ "Airbus Targets A350 Wide-Body Sale on Macron's China Trip". Bloomberg. 3 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Airbus announces helicopter deal with Chinese firm during Macron visit". Le Monde. 7 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Airbus CEO - new China assembly plant boosts output goals". Reuters. 6 April 2023.
  35. ^ "空客再签中国采购大单：160架飞机，总价值约200亿美元_10%公司_澎湃新闻-The Paper". www.thepaper.cn. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Airbus and China aviation industry sign next phase in partnership | Airbus". www.airbus.com. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  37. ^ Alderman, Liz (6 April 2023). "Airbus to Double Production in China as It Moves Ahead With New Orders". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  38. ^ "France, China sign cooperation deals in nuclear and renewable energy". Reuters. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  39. ^ "China, France expand nuclear cooperation : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News". world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  40. ^ Lepic, Bojan (2023-09-25). "CMA CGM, COSCO, Maersk, ONE sign up for transpacific green corridor". Splash247. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  41. ^ "Wanhua Chemical teams up with French partner on seawater desalination project". ex.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  42. ^ Batrak, Oleksandr (2023-05-29). "Alstom is implementing a new traction system in China". Railway Supply. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  43. ^ Ackroyd, Alison Tudor (2023-04-12). "Alibaba, L'Oréal Sign Deal to Make Beauty Industry Greener in China". Alizila. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
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