Chinese President Xi Jinping, who kept a
close watch on French President Emmanuel Macron’s high-profile visit to Bharat,
has expressed his willingness to strengthen the bilateral relationship by jointly
paving the path of peace, prosperity, progress and security for human
development amid 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and
China.
Stating that today’s world is at a
critical crossroads, Xi reportedly, wants to take it as an “opportunity to
uphold fundamental principles, break new ground, build on past achievements,
open up a new future, and make China-France comprehensive strategic partnership
more solid and dynamic.”
As per Foreign Minister Wang Yi and
State-run China Daily, China desires cooperation in business field, by creating
fair environment, unleashing consumer and investment market demand, expanding
the import of high-quality products and services from France. Besides, the
Asian nation seeks scientific and technological cooperation, from aerospace and
the nuclear industry to renewable energy, research and development.
For China, ties with France is pivotal
in view of many reasons including President Macron’s assertion on Europe to act
as a third bloc and become a balancing force between China and the US. Besides,
France has become Bharat’s significant defence partner with launch of an
ambitious defence industrial roadmap to develop critical military hardware and
enhance cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region during French
President’s Republic Day visit.
The cooperation move has worried China
as the neighbouring country has been attempting to make forays in Bharat’s
backyard.
