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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, January 18, 2004

China is so fascinating: interview with French ambassador to China

On Jan. 12, 2004, People's Daily reporter had an interview with Jean-Pierre Lafon, French ambassador to China in Beijing.


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On Jan. 12, 2004, People's Daily reporter had an interview with Jean-Pierre Lafon, French ambassador to China in Beijing.

Reporter:How do you evaluate in succinct terms the Sino-French relations at the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries?

Lafon:The two countries have never seen close exchanges such as today since we established diplomatic relations 40 years ago. The exchanges are going well and the cooperation has never been so well as today in terms of both depth and breadth.

Other big countries such as the United States and European big countries also maintain good relations with China. But what I want to emphasize is that the French-China relations have some characteristics different from those of other countries. First, the leaders of both countries attach great importance to the bilateral ties. French President Jacques Chirac is very keen on developing French-China cooperation. In recent years, the mutual visits by the leaders of the two countries, political dialogues and personal contacts have all reached the best in history. In the previous year, French Prime Minister, ministers of science, defense, economy, finance and industry, culture and internal affairs visited China one after another with an unprecedented frequency. There are not only mutual beneficial factors in French-China relations but also those more important and more in-depth. Secondly, France and China are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council so the importance of the two countries' cooperation in international affairs is very obvious. China is the largest developing country undergoing great changes while France is very influential in European affairs. China also regards the Sino-French relations as the key to Sino-European relations. A lot of cooperation, such as European-China dialogue on human rights and judicial cooperation between China and Europe has made much headway, which has a lot to do with France's push. Today, we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in an attempt to make it clear that we want to continue the close cooperation. When summarizing the diplomacy of France at the Elysee Palace a few days ago, President Chirac specially mentioned French-China relations, considering that the influence of the mutual visits between leaders of the two countries on the development of the Sino-French ties can not be underestimated.

Reporter:Culture and history have always held a very important position in the exchanges between French and Chinese peoples. How do you think of it?

Lafon:In terms of thought and psychology, French people always regard China as a very fascinating country. French people's fascination with China can date back to the Enlightenment Era when great thinkers such as Reseau Voltaire (1694-1778), Denis Diderot (1713-1784) hailed the prosperity of Chinese civilization. And the Chinese people are also very interested in France. In many Chinese people's eyes, France is first a cultural country. French literature and paintings have been introduced into China quite extensively and the important role of French Revolution in the world history has made the Chinese people value more the history and culture of France.

The culture year mutually launched by China and France from 2003 to 2005 will definitely push the cultural exchanges between the two countries to a new height. The China Culture Year held in France currently aroused great interest among the public and we can say that it is successful. I think it will surely bring about a China tour craze. There will be more and more French people coming to see with their own eyes an ancient yet modern China.

Reporter: Sino-French relationship is, so to speak, political relations first and then cultural relations, but what is the position of the cooperation in economy and trade, science and technology? One view is that they are lagging behind political and cultural cooperation.

Lafon: This kind of view does exist. But I want to emphasize that there are many positive changes in recent years. Those important industrial groups all came to China and those who have invested in China are expanding their investment. Industries such as aviation, automobile, nuclear power, telecommunications, food, environment, retailing business, movies and television are more and more showing their existence in China and their sincerity in cooperation. However, the image and position of France, a scientific and technological power, has not been fully recognized by the public. This depends on the further expansion of the exchanges between students of the two countries.

Reporter: As I remember you said in an interview not long after your assignment that the Westerners should not view China as they do the former Soviet Union. Now as an ambassador, is it that your opinion has been further proved?

Lafon: Absolutely. China is a country completely different from the former Soviet Union. I am not an expert on China and my shortcoming is my inadequate knowledge of China, but what is good for it is that I have no prejudice. I was assigned as French ambassador to China in June 2002. In more than 20 months as an ambassador, I studied everyday. China is so charming. Charles Louis Montesquieu (1689-1755) once wrote "Lettres persanes" in which Persians came to France in the era of Louis XIV and felt interested in everything. I found China just like those Persians discovered France. I have been to the Qinghai Province where the popularity of high ways and mobile phones makes me surprised. It is a province with great potential. I have also been to the Gansu Province and I was deeply shocked by the poverty and desertification there. My feeling is that, it is difficult to know China which is so vast and diversified. China in the period of reform is also filled with so many contradictions.

China is not dogmatic but very practical. It has its goal that is development. You are studying the experience and lessons of other countries, learning from successful countries in terms of economy policies, administrative management and even politics. I especially appreciate the Chinese government's cautiousness. China does not apply "shock therapy" but is forwarding step by step. It can be predicted that the 21st century is to a great extent the century of China.

By People's Daily Online


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