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China-France relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Exclusive | France, Europe engage with China on their terms, in their own interests: envoy

  • French ambassador to Beijing Bertrand Lortholary says ‘sovereignty is paramount’ and that a strong Europe is good for China
  • In a wide-ranging interview with the Post, the senior diplomat expresses hopes for closer cooperation on Ukraine, Gaza and the climate

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The French ambassador to China, Bertrand Lortholary, says people-to-people exchanges are at the core of the two countries’ relationship. Photo: Simon Song
Chow Chung-yanin Hong KongandZhuang Pinghuiin Beijing

A year after taking up his appointment as French ambassador to China, Bertrand Lortholary sits down with the Post to share his views on China-France relations – from trade frictions and technology competition to cooperation in global challenges, as well as people-to-people exchanges and the celebrations that will mark 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

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In a lot of ways, France is important to China, not only because economically it is a great partner but also in the political and cultural realms. This year, the two sides will have more exchanges. In this context, what are your expectations for 2024?

2023 was already a very successful year for France and China. It enabled us to relaunch the relationship after three difficult years for China, for France, for the whole world, because of the pandemic.
President [Emmanuel] Macron visited China in April, Premier Li Qiang travelled to France in June, and we had numerous high-level exchanges.
2024 marks the 60th anniversary of our bilateral relations – as well as the France-China Year of Cultural Tourism – which is important in many ways, given that people-to-people exchanges are at the core of our relationship.

The French minister for Europe and foreign affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, was in Beijing on April 1 to celebrate this anniversary.

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