This week, two European leaders--British Prime Minister David Cameron and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault - have successively visited China. Different from David Cameron who brought a huge business delegation to promote trade, Ayrault’s visit plays the prelude for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French ties in 2014.

Cameron, Ayrault have different styles

“As Britain and France have great difference in political system and economic structure, they have different emphasis and principles,” said Cui Hongjian, director of the European Department at the China Institute of International Studies.

Opening Sina microblog, visiting Chinese painting exhibition and inviting Chinese students to his residence, before came to China, Cameron arranged a series of activities to highlight the importance of the visit. There are two reasons for Cameron’s high-profile appearance: first, Cameron hopes to get the ties with China onto the right track. Second, although the Sino-British political ties are not so good, the economic ties have maintained a good momentum which brings great benefit to the U.K. Therefore, Cameron plays the “business card”, hoping to show its goodwill and maintain its bonus in cooperation with China, according to Cui.

In comparison with Cameron, Ayrault keeps a low profile. First France implements presidential system, which means the diplomatic power is the hand of the president. Thus, Ayrault can’t have a lofty stance as Cameron’s. Second, Sino-French cooperation is less sufficient than Sino-British one. In terms of trade volume, the U.K. is the second largest trade partner of China in the E.U., while France is the fourth largest.

Breakthroughs needed in Sino-French cooperation

Affected by stagnant economy, in 2012 France’s trade with China was only about 51 billion U.S. dollars, 2 percent down year-on-year, in which China’s export volume was 26.9 billion U.S. dollars and import volume is 24.1 billion U.S. dollars, leaving a deficit of 2.8 billion U.S. dollars for France.

Due to the sluggish French economy, the Sino-French cooperation doesn’t make new progress. Although French president made some suggestions for cooperation, these projects are just in initial phase and France needs to quicken its pace in expanding cooperation with emerging economies, such as China.

According to French embassy in China，Ayrault will attend a symposium that marks the 30th anniversary of Sino-French cooperation in civilian nuclear energy. And he will also visit two nuclear reactors that are still under construction in Taishan city of Guangdong province.

China’s nuclear energy has made some breakthroughs and its nuclear technology can be exported. China and the U.K. have prepared to cooperate in the field of nuclear power. If France wants to take the leading position in China’s nuclear energy market, it should have more positive attitude in technology improvement and transfer, according to Cui.

To strengthen the bilateral trade with China, Ayrault will attend the closing ceremony of 19th Sino-French Economic Seminar in Beijing, take part in the cooperative program for sustainable urbanization in Wuhan city and meet representatives of French enterprises in Guangzhou city.

Sino-French cooperation promotes Sino-European ties.

Known as the conservative state in the E.U. France supports E.U. commission’s decision on imposing high tariff over China’s photovoltaic products. French decision is related to its decreasing competitiveness in international trade. Facing huge deficit in the bilateral trade with China, France inclines to adopt protectionism. If Sino-French cooperation can urges E.U. to adopt a more active and open altitude in trade with China. It would be beneficial for China, France and the E.U.

The next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic ties. A series of celebrations and memorial activities will be held. Ayrault wants to further exchange ideas with Chinese government to make preparations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic ties.

Edited and Translated by Yao Chun, People's Daily Online