China News Service, Paris, July 13th: A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in France answered the questions of the European Times reporter on the unilateral reduction of French flights by the French side on the 13th local time, and expressed deep regret for the unilateral reduction of French flights by the French side.
The spokesman said that on July 12, the French Civil Aviation Authority announced that it would reduce the three Chinese-French routes currently operated by Chinese airlines to one flight per week in accordance with the “peer-to-peer principle”. The maintenance of a certain number of flights between China and France is of great significance to the exchange of personnel and resumption of production between the two countries. The French side unilaterally reduced related flights, causing damage to Chinese airlines and the people of both countries. We deeply regret the French decision.
The spokesman said that after the outbreak of the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, China, while fully fighting the epidemic, also tried its best to support other countries in the international community in fighting the epidemic. After the announcement of the closure of Wuhan on January 23, the Chinese side provided vigorous assistance and active cooperation to the French evacuation. Since February 9, Air France has grounded Chinese routes on the grounds of "employees exercising the right to retreat", and China also understands this. Since then, China has vigorously supported the establishment of an “air bridge” by France to purchase and deliver emergency medical supplies from China. For this purpose, hundreds of French cargo charter flight permits have been approved.
The spokesman pointed out that after the Chinese epidemic was under control and the outbreak in Europe and the United States, in order to prevent the epidemic from being imported and maintain the hard-won domestic anti-epidemic achievements, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued “five "One" policy, that an airline can only keep one route in a country, and there is only one flight at most a week. The policy treats Chinese and foreign airlines equally. On May 30, the French side filed a request for Air France to resume flights to China. According to the "Five Ones" policy, because Air France has been grounded, France does not have a normal flight route in China, and Air France needs to approve the resumption of flights. However, considering the friendship between China and France, China has given France special care and allowed Air France to go back with reference to the "Five Ones" policy.
The spokesman said that in accordance with the so-called "peer-to-peer principle", the French side unilaterally insisted that the Air France family fly three flights a week and the destination is Shanghai. However, due to the large number of foreign airlines it receives, Shanghai faces enormous pressures for epidemic prevention, and it is difficult to overcome objectively. Taking into account the overall situation of friendship between the two countries and the practical needs of personnel exchanges between the two sides, China not only made exceptions to Air France’s three flights per week to China, one of which flew to Shanghai, but also repeatedly tried to recommend other landings for Air France’s second and third routes. city. Air France’s Chinese partner even gave up its Shanghai route and offered to provide ground services for Air France’s other cities in China. While Shanghai has agreed to receive Air France’s second flight to Shanghai and waits for the Chinese government to complete the approval process, the French side has made a compulsory decision to reduce Chinese flights, which is puzzling.
The spokesman emphasized that under the current situation of serious international epidemic situation and China’s national defense import risks, Chinese airlines always follow the French epidemic prevention regulations when flying to France, and Air France goes back to China should also comply with the Chinese epidemic prevention regulations. This is the French side. The so-called "equivalence principle" is due. Since the number of airlines flying between the two countries is not equal, the total number of flights between the two sides cannot be completely equal. What's more, during Air France's grounding of China, Chinese airlines took the risk of huge epidemic risks and pressure to lose money and insisted on flying, making huge sacrifices to maintain the air communication channel between China and France. For the unilateral reduction of French flights by the French side, China is forced to accept. We regret and grieve the impact and damage caused to passengers of both countries.
The spokesman said that China and France have helped each other and supported each other in the fight against the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic. The people of the two countries have also maintained traditional friendly feelings. Although the flight problem is a partial problem, if it is not handled well, it will harm the friendly atmosphere between the two countries, which we do not want to see. It is hoped that the French side will proceed from the overall situation of the relations between the two countries, re-examine the relevant decisions, and return to the path of dialogue and consultation, go hand in hand with China, and properly resolve flight-related matters between the two countries.
The spokesman concluded by saying that the relevant Chinese airline has issued a notice to remind passengers to take measures in advance to avoid travel inconvenience and economic losses. The Chinese Embassy in France will take measures to provide necessary assistance to those in need. (Finish)