Adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, actively face the future and dare to make a difference - President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech to the reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, pointing out the direction for the future of bilateral relations.

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 26, Title

: Uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, actively face the future and dare to make a difference - President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech to the reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, pointing out the direction for the future of bilateral relations.

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter

　　On January 25, a reception for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France was held at the National Center for the Performing Arts. In his video speech to the reception, President Xi Jinping emphasized that in the face of the ups and downs in 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.

　　People from all walks of life in China and France said that President Xi Jinping's speech clarified the great historical significance of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago, summarized the "Sino-French spirit" shaped by the unique history of China-France relations, and described the development of bilateral relations in the next 60 years. The bright prospects have pointed out the direction and injected impetus for future cooperation between China and France.

　　"The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago was a major event in the history of international relations. Chairman Mao Zedong and General de Gaulle used their extraordinary wisdom and courage to open the door to exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, bringing hope to the world in the midst of the Cold War." President Xi Jinping said in his speech pointed out in. On January 27, 1964, China and France announced the establishment of diplomatic relations. The 40-word joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations broke through the ice of the Cold War and shocked the entire world.

　　"China and France are important shapers of the international landscape." Ding Yifan, a researcher at the World Development Institute of the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that when the Cold War was in full swing 60 years ago, the Sino-French handshake set off a "wave of diplomatic relations" between Western countries and China. Accelerated the process of democratization of international relations.

　　"President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France in his speech." Fu Keade, vice president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China and vice president of EDF Group, said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China not only breaks the bipolar pattern, but also promotes the development of Europe and the entire world. It plays a key leading role in peace and stability and has significance beyond bilateral relations.

　　"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 both countries and contributing to world peace, stability and development." President Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech.

　　From aircraft, satellites, and nuclear power plants to wine, cheese, and cosmetics, Sino-French cooperation is both "high-tech" and "down-to-earth"; from mutual establishment of cultural centers to mutual hosting of cultural years and language years, Sino-French people-to-people and cultural exchanges have Mutual learning among world civilizations has set an example; from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris to the Kunming-Montreal 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, China and France have joined hands to lead the international community in jointly responding to global challenges.

　　François Malanje, Information Technology Manager of the Cultural and Educational Cooperation Section of the French Embassy in China, said that economic and trade cooperation between France and China is becoming increasingly close, high-quality French products are favored by Chinese consumers, and "Made in China" has also entered the French daily life. Common people's home. In recent years, China's high-quality development has achieved remarkable results, and the information technology industry is booming. In areas such as mobile payment, the products and systems developed by Chinese companies have greatly facilitated people's daily lives. This is what France needs to learn from China.

　　Ten years ago, when President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the commemoration meeting of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, he proposed for the first time that China and France and the two peoples have jointly cultivated the spirit of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and win-win cooperation in the development of bilateral relations. spirit; in his speech on January 25, President Xi Jinping further emphasized that the unique history of China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and mutual benefit.

　　Christophe Lemoine, deputy spokesman of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that France and China have followed their own paths since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The development of relations between the two countries relies on exchanges between the two peoples and is based on mutual respect between the two civilizations. It is also based on the independent spirit of the two countries. France attaches great importance to establishing cooperation with China to jointly address global issues and provide solutions to today's world full of chaos, division and confrontation.

　　French China expert and writer Léa Bassy said that the "Sino-French spirit" emphasized by President Xi Jinping reflects the uniqueness of the relationship between the two countries. The "Sino-French spirit" can be regarded as a model for peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between countries with different systems, different civilizations and different levels of development.

　　Wang Kun, deputy dean of the School of French Language and Culture at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that in the face of uncertainty in today’s world, the “Sino-French spirit” has important guiding significance. The two countries should draw wisdom and courage from history, face the future, actively plan, and jointly create a more peaceful, stable, fair and just world.

　　In his speech, President Xi Jinping pointed out the direction for China-France cooperation: "We must unswervingly develop bilateral relations and use the stability of China-France relations to cope with the uncertainty of the world." "We must take the China-France Culture and Tourism Year and the Paris Olympics as opportunities. "We must adhere to mutual benefit and win-win results, while deepening traditional cooperation, actively tap the cooperation potential in emerging fields such as green industry and clean energy, insist on making the cake bigger, and use openness to gather cooperation forces and share development." opportunity"……

　　French President Macron also delivered a video message to the reception. He said that today we have the responsibility to build on the ambitious goals established in 1964 and make persistent efforts to jointly build a partnership that not only meets the needs of the two peoples but is also conducive to world peace and stability. France is willing to work with China to respond to global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises.

　　People from all walks of life in China and France said that the video speeches of the two heads of state sent a positive signal of peace, cooperation, mutual benefit and friendship, and responded to the common expectations of people from all over the world.

　　"I am very happy to see that the two heads of state expressed in their speeches that they attach great importance to joint efforts to deal with global challenges." Fu Kaide said that France-China nuclear energy cooperation has been carried out for more than 40 years, and the relationship between enterprises has also evolved from the original "master-disciple" "Towards partners, I believe that the two countries will usher in broader development prospects in the field of low-carbon energy.

　　After the reception, the guests enjoyed the opera "Romeo and Juliet" written by French composer Gounod. Artists from China, France and other countries presented a wonderful French opera feast to the audience.

　　"Tonight, we gather in one of the venues that best represents the creativity and closeness of France-China relations - the National Center for the Performing Arts in China. This theater, which brings together the crystallization of French and Chinese architectural art, was jointly designed by teams from both countries and is a symbol of our cooperation. , is also a symbolic arrangement." French Ambassador to China Bai Yutang said that in 1964, General de Gaulle proposed the establishment of "fruitful relations between the two peoples." "Today, 60 years later, General de Gaulle's words have become reality."

　　Stefano Borda, the director of this show, said that "Romeo and Juliet" is an important French opera work. At the time of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China and the 2024 France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, he hopes to use this work to make people Artistic exchanges cross national boundaries and touch people's hearts.

　　Geng Jing, chairman of the China Cultural Heritage Foundation, said that the world is emerging from the COVID-19 epidemic and now is a good opportunity to further strengthen exchanges. "Cultural exchanges have no national boundaries. We have had a lot of cooperation with France in the cultural field before, and we will continue to promote cooperation as planned in the future."

　　"Diplomatic relations between countries depend on people-to-people relations, and people-to-people exchanges are very important." Listening to President Xi Jinping's video speech on the spot, Feng Yuanzheng, director of the Beijing People's Art Theater, said, "We are currently rehearsing "The Stingy Man" by the French playwright Molière and several other French plays. Drama. China and France are both countries with profound cultural heritage, and we have the responsibility to pass on and carry forward these artistic masterpieces from generation to generation." (Reporters Wen Xin, Ma Zhuoyan, Yuan Shuai, Tang Ji, Qiao Benxiao)