Days after French President Emmanuel Macron’s high-profile visit to India, Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to “break new ground” to strengthen Sino-French ties. Meanwhile, the two countries announced an ambitious defense roadmap in addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation. strategic Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region;
President Macron’s visit to India coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
In his message, President Xi said, “Today, as the world once again stands at a critical crossroads, China and France should jointly pave the way for peace, security, prosperity, and progress in human development.” Stated.
President Xi said that China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and sees the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to “adhere to basic principles, break new ground, build on past achievements, and open new diplomatic relations.” “We are ready to work with Mr. Macron.” And it will make the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France stronger and more dynamic,” state media reported.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China proposed increasing imports from France.
“We will continue to unlock demand in the consumer and investment markets and expand imports of high-quality products and services from France,” he said, adding that France would also offer fair, just and predictable business to Chinese companies. He said he hoped to provide an environment.
Read | French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Xi Jinping in Beijing
China is prioritizing its relationship with France as President Macron pushes Europe to become a third bloc that balances the United States and China.
Chinese state media praised Sino-French relations and called for stronger cooperation in high-tech fields.
“France and China’s science and technology cooperation is a cornerstone of their relationship. From aerospace and the nuclear industry to renewable energy, the two countries have made great strides in joint research and development,” state-run China Daily editorialized. mentioned in.
President Macron became the sixth French leader to attend India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26 as the guest of honor.
Beijing remained wary of Macron’s visit to India as Paris emerges as New Delhi’s key defense partner as the US and European Union court India as a counterweight to China.
After President Macron’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries will strengthen cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region, areas of key concern for China, as well as an ambitious defense industry to jointly develop key military equipment. A roadmap was announced.
A joint statement issued after President Macron said: “Defense and security partnership is the cornerstone of the India-France partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. It includes a comprehensive range of regional, regional and institutional efforts. This is what he said on his visit to India.
“The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the southwest Indian Ocean, building on the joint monitoring mission conducted in the French territory of La Réunion in 2020 and 2022.”
Increasing Indo-French cooperation in the Indian Ocean is a concern for China as it seeks to expand into India’s backyard.
The United States, India and several other world powers are discussing the need to ensure a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s increased military activity in the resource-rich region.
