Mutual respect underlies ties
By Zhai Jun |
chinawatch.cn |
Updated: 2019-07-05 16:21
It has been almost five and a half years since I first took up my post as the Chinese ambassador to France in January 2014. How time flies. As I prepare for my departure upon the conclusion of my appointment, I look back on my time as the ambassador here and I remember all the little moments as vividly as if they happened yesterday.
President Xi Jinping once highlighted the importance of Sino-French relations despite our different national circumstances. He said that it was important to nurture and enhance our relationship through seeking common ground while tolerating our differences in a spirit of mutual respect. President Xi's words have served as the guiding principle for my diplomatic work here since the beginning. During the past five years, Sino-French relations have been developing smoothly despite significant changes at home in both of our countries and in the world at large, with deepening mutual political trust thanks to frequent high-level exchanges. The past five years have seen three visits by President Xi to France and three visits by his French counterpart to China, the implementation of major Sino-French cooperation projects including the Wuhan P4 Lab - the first of its kind in China and Taishan Nuclear Power Plant - the world's first ERP nuclear reactor to go into commercial operation, as well as the Hinckley Point C nuclear power station in the United Kingdom, which set a new bench mark for tripartite cooperation. There have also been a wealth of people-to-people exchanges marking the occasions of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic ties in 2014, the 55th anniversary and the centennial anniversary of Chinese students' Work-Study Movement in France. Our countries are also witnessing a new level of cooperation in global governance with the successful conclusion of the Paris climate conference.
As an ambassador, I have been a privileged witness to these historic moments in Sino-French relations, and it has been an honor to contribute my own little grain of sand to carry on the torch of a great friendship initiated by former Chinese chairman Mao Zedong and president Charles de Gaulle.
Looking back on my time as the ambassador to France, I am grateful for the support of our respective governments and assistance from friends from all walks of life, without which I would not have been able to carry out my work successfully. Even though our views differ on certain issues given our dissimilar national circumstances, both China and France believe in the importance of our relationship and share the goal of contributing to the well-being of our peoples. With this as a common basis, our governments and diplomatic services have enjoyed a harmonious working relationship.
Over the past five years, I have had the opportunity to visit all 13 regions of France and her seven overseas territories, where I was always warmly received and saw with my own eyes the aspirations of French people for stepping up local and citizen cooperation and the amazing potential for collaboration we have due to the complementarity between our economies. We now have more than 100 pairs of sister provinces and cities with our counterparts in France, more than any other country in Europe. I am convinced that localized cooperation is the key to strengthening Sino-French relations and to helping our friendship to thrive, bloom and be fruitful.
As the first non-French-speaking Chinese ambassador to France, I faced a daunting challenge when I first stepped on French soil. Having said that, I have never felt out of place and have been fortunate to have the support of colleagues and friends, both old and new from both countries, which tells me that true communication - that of the mind and heart - transcends linguistic barriers.
Looking back on my memories here, France will always have a special place in my heart as I conclude my appointment. Hemingway once called Paris a "movable feast", a place that stays with one for life. The same thing can be said of France, to whom I owe so many fond memories: from walks under the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, to strolls on the white sand beaches of New Caledonia with her sea and sky of the purest shade of blue; from singing the most beautiful tango in the world with an elderly French couple in Corsica, to sharing Maotai with cattle ranchers in Limousin, from visiting Concorde productions, the pride of France to touring Grenoble's competitive cluster, Europe's innovation hub... five and a half years is not long enough to get to know France but long enough to make me fall in love with this charming, vibrant and endearing nation.
Looking back on my time here also fills me with hope for the future of Sino-French ties. Over half a century ago, our friendship was born at the height of the Cold War as we reached out to each other in the spirit of independence and autonomy, inspired by our unique understandings of different civilizations. Our friendship has since become a wonderful example of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between the East and the West. Even though times have changed, we still share the same sense of mission and care for the future of humanity. Confronted with the daunting challenge of rising unilateralism and protectionism, we once again find ourselves at a crossroad in history. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major countries with global influence, China and France have an obligation to uphold truth and justice, and lead the world in the direction of openness, progress and win-win cooperation with determination and courage: This is an imperative since both of our long-lived civilizations are destined for greatness.
During his state visit to France this March, President Xi engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-French relations and key international issues with President Emmanuel Macron, reaching broad consensus, sending a message the two countries will work together to safeguard multilateralism and improve global governance, and be a source of positivity in a world plagued by uncertainty and instability. I am convinced that Sino-French relations will continue to be a shining example of China's relations with Western powers, as long as we abide by the principle of mutual respect, seek common ground while tolerating our differences and cooperating for mutual benefit.
The author is Chinese ambassador to France.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
It has been almost five and a half years since I first took up my post as the Chinese ambassador to France in January 2014. How time flies. As I prepare for my departure upon the conclusion of my appointment, I look back on my time as the ambassador here and I remember all the little moments as vividly as if they happened yesterday.
President Xi Jinping once highlighted the importance of Sino-French relations despite our different national circumstances. He said that it was important to nurture and enhance our relationship through seeking common ground while tolerating our differences in a spirit of mutual respect. President Xi's words have served as the guiding principle for my diplomatic work here since the beginning. During the past five years, Sino-French relations have been developing smoothly despite significant changes at home in both of our countries and in the world at large, with deepening mutual political trust thanks to frequent high-level exchanges. The past five years have seen three visits by President Xi to France and three visits by his French counterpart to China, the implementation of major Sino-French cooperation projects including the Wuhan P4 Lab - the first of its kind in China and Taishan Nuclear Power Plant - the world's first ERP nuclear reactor to go into commercial operation, as well as the Hinckley Point C nuclear power station in the United Kingdom, which set a new bench mark for tripartite cooperation. There have also been a wealth of people-to-people exchanges marking the occasions of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic ties in 2014, the 55th anniversary and the centennial anniversary of Chinese students' Work-Study Movement in France. Our countries are also witnessing a new level of cooperation in global governance with the successful conclusion of the Paris climate conference.
As an ambassador, I have been a privileged witness to these historic moments in Sino-French relations, and it has been an honor to contribute my own little grain of sand to carry on the torch of a great friendship initiated by former Chinese chairman Mao Zedong and president Charles de Gaulle.
Looking back on my time as the ambassador to France, I am grateful for the support of our respective governments and assistance from friends from all walks of life, without which I would not have been able to carry out my work successfully. Even though our views differ on certain issues given our dissimilar national circumstances, both China and France believe in the importance of our relationship and share the goal of contributing to the well-being of our peoples. With this as a common basis, our governments and diplomatic services have enjoyed a harmonious working relationship.
Over the past five years, I have had the opportunity to visit all 13 regions of France and her seven overseas territories, where I was always warmly received and saw with my own eyes the aspirations of French people for stepping up local and citizen cooperation and the amazing potential for collaboration we have due to the complementarity between our economies. We now have more than 100 pairs of sister provinces and cities with our counterparts in France, more than any other country in Europe. I am convinced that localized cooperation is the key to strengthening Sino-French relations and to helping our friendship to thrive, bloom and be fruitful.
As the first non-French-speaking Chinese ambassador to France, I faced a daunting challenge when I first stepped on French soil. Having said that, I have never felt out of place and have been fortunate to have the support of colleagues and friends, both old and new from both countries, which tells me that true communication - that of the mind and heart - transcends linguistic barriers.
Looking back on my memories here, France will always have a special place in my heart as I conclude my appointment. Hemingway once called Paris a "movable feast", a place that stays with one for life. The same thing can be said of France, to whom I owe so many fond memories: from walks under the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, to strolls on the white sand beaches of New Caledonia with her sea and sky of the purest shade of blue; from singing the most beautiful tango in the world with an elderly French couple in Corsica, to sharing Maotai with cattle ranchers in Limousin, from visiting Concorde productions, the pride of France to touring Grenoble's competitive cluster, Europe's innovation hub... five and a half years is not long enough to get to know France but long enough to make me fall in love with this charming, vibrant and endearing nation.
Looking back on my time here also fills me with hope for the future of Sino-French ties. Over half a century ago, our friendship was born at the height of the Cold War as we reached out to each other in the spirit of independence and autonomy, inspired by our unique understandings of different civilizations. Our friendship has since become a wonderful example of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between the East and the West. Even though times have changed, we still share the same sense of mission and care for the future of humanity. Confronted with the daunting challenge of rising unilateralism and protectionism, we once again find ourselves at a crossroad in history. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major countries with global influence, China and France have an obligation to uphold truth and justice, and lead the world in the direction of openness, progress and win-win cooperation with determination and courage: This is an imperative since both of our long-lived civilizations are destined for greatness.
During his state visit to France this March, President Xi engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-French relations and key international issues with President Emmanuel Macron, reaching broad consensus, sending a message the two countries will work together to safeguard multilateralism and improve global governance, and be a source of positivity in a world plagued by uncertainty and instability. I am convinced that Sino-French relations will continue to be a shining example of China's relations with Western powers, as long as we abide by the principle of mutual respect, seek common ground while tolerating our differences and cooperating for mutual benefit.
The author is Chinese ambassador to France.
The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
