Xinhua Commentary | Leading the cooperation between the two countries to move forward with the "Sino-French spirit"

　　Xinhua News Agency, Paris, January 28th

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter Tang Ji

　　Over the past 60 years, China and France, the two major civilizations of the East and the West, have gone through an extraordinary course of exchanges. Over the past 60 years, the relationship between the two countries has gone through many ups and downs and has always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries. It has brought benefits to the people of the two countries, contributed to world peace, stability and development, and highlighted its strategic importance and leadership in a turbulent and changing world. sex. Facing the future, the two countries will work together to create greater glories.

　　As two major countries with a long history, China and France are able to know each other, understand each other and walk hand in hand. This is due to the resonance of the spirit of independence and daring to be the first. It is the mutual appreciation and attraction between the two civilizations, and it is also a historical necessity. On January 27, 1964, the governments of China and France issued a joint communique: "The government of the People's Republic of China and the government of the French Republic have unanimously decided to establish diplomatic relations. To this end, the two governments have agreed to appoint an ambassador within three months." Just two sentences. The communiqué broke through the ice of the Cold War and shocked the entire world. It was called a "diplomatic nuclear explosion" by international public opinion. Fabius, chairman of the French Constitutional Committee and former prime minister, believes that China and France are the first in the world to establish diplomatic relations because both countries pursue independent foreign policies and are committed to maintaining true multilateralism and safeguarding world peace.

　　Over the past 60 years, China and France have always adhered to independent strategic choices, and have always been committed to achieving common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting mutual learning among civilizations through equal exchanges, and jointly responding to global challenges through multilateral coordination. The relationship between the two countries has created many "firsts": France was the first Western power to formally establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, the first Western power to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and institutional strategic dialogue with China, and the first to carry out civilian nuclear energy cooperation with China. It is the first Western country to hold cultural years and cultural centers with China in each other's country. From the opening of the first direct flight between China and Western countries to the joint development of third-party markets, the two countries have always been at the forefront of Sino-Western relations by adhering to the "Sino-French spirit" of "independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and mutual benefit."

　　Over the past 60 years, China and France have adhered to mutual benefit and win-win results, and their economic and trade cooperation has become increasingly close. They have insisted on making the cake bigger, gathering cooperation forces and sharing development opportunities through openness. France is already China's third largest trading partner in the EU and its third largest source of actual investment. China is France's largest trading partner in Asia and seventh largest trading partner in the world. Airbus aircraft account for half of China’s civil aviation industry, and “from French farms to Chinese dining tables” has become the golden signature of Sino-French cooperation. Chinese products such as mobile phones and electric vehicles are also increasingly favored by French consumers. France will serve as the guest country of honor at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services and the 7th China International Import Expo. China and France not only have a solid foundation in traditional cooperation areas such as agriculture, food, aerospace, and civil nuclear energy, but also have broad prospects in new areas of cooperation growth such as trade in services, green development, and technological innovation.

　　Over the past 60 years, China and France have had close cultural exchanges and close cooperation. The two civilizations of the East and the West have illuminated each other like two beacons, and have achieved self-growth and innovation through exchanges and mutual learning, showing vigorous vitality. The number of sister provinces, autonomous regions, sister cities, and number of tourists between the two countries ranks among the top among China and Europe. China has become one of the main source countries of international students in France. Nearly a thousand primary and secondary schools in France offer Chinese courses, with more than 100,000 students learning Chinese. China has implemented a 15-day visa-free policy for French short-term visitors to China since December 1 last year. France also announced that Chinese master's degree diploma holders with study experience in France can obtain a five-year visa. The two countries are accelerating the facilitation of personnel exchanges. change. This year's China-France Culture and Tourism Year and the Paris Olympics are excellent opportunities for China and France to expand people-to-people exchanges and promote people-to-people bonds. As Aloze, chairman of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, said, the 60 years France and China have spent together are a kind of strength. All celebrations this year will promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, "enabling us to meet more often." , consolidate the bond of friendship" and become the basis for the development of the two countries in the next 60 years.

　　Today's world has once again reached a critical crossroads. Facing the question of where to go of the times and history, China and France, as independent major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, shoulder the responsible mission, and jointly open up a path for human development leading to peace, security, prosperity, and progress. China and France should continue to be a force for good and always stand on the right side of history and the progress of the times on major issues related to the direction of the world; China and France should continue to be friends with sincerity and mutual trust, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and use We should maintain multi-level and multi-dimensional communication channels between the two countries, communicate sincerely on issues of common concern, expand consensus, bridge differences, and enhance mutual trust; China and France should continue to be mutually beneficial partners, and China will continue to release consumption and investment market demand, including Investors from various countries, including French companies, should provide more convenience for investment and business in China. France should also provide Chinese companies with a fair, just and predictable business environment; China and France should continue to be a model of exchanges and mutual learning and actively expand cooperation between the two sides. Cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, sports, local areas and other fields has set off a new upsurge in people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France.

　　Don’t forget your original intention and carry on the past and open up the future. China and France should follow the "Sino-French spirit" as a guide, inherit traditions and face the future, unswervingly develop bilateral relations, respond to the uncertainty of the world with the stability of Sino-French relations, and continue to uphold equality, respect, and mutual trust , work together to respond to global challenges, jointly advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarization, and inclusive economic globalization, build a stronger and more dynamic China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, and make contributions to enhance the well-being of the two countries and the people of the world. greater contribution. (Xinhuanet)