The Sino-French relations, which have been witnessing a
remarkable development, are now at their best in history, said
Chinese Ambassador to France Zhao Jinjun.
"During the past three and half years that I have worked as the
Chinese ambassador to France, the Sino-French relations have been
at the best stage in history, featuring remarkably excitement and
opportunities," the ambassador told Xinhua in a recent exclusive
interview.
As two nations wielding a significant influence on the world
stage, China and France share much in common on major international
affairs, with both countries upholding multilateralism against
unilateralism and the establishment of a world characterized by
cultural diversity and peaceful cooperation, the ambassador
said.
This has laid a political foundation for the two countries to
develop a comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.
The Sino-French ties are an exemplar of strategic, all-around,
and mature partnership in the arena of international relations,
boasting many "No. 1s" in the history of China's foreign relations,
Zhao said.
France was the first Western power which established diplomatic
ties with the People's Republic of China.
It was the first Western country that has established
comprehensive partnership with China and the first world power
which opened strategic consultations with China.
France was also the first European country which refused to sign
up to the proposal against China's human rights records and the
first Western state in favor of lifting arms embargo against
China.
Riding the waves of the strengthened ties between China and
France, the two countries' heads of state and prime ministers
exchanged visits within one year. The frequent high-level exchange
of visits has further consolidated the bilateral relations, the
ambassador said.
On the other front of the significant bilateral ties, a robust
cultural exchange between the two countries has run through the
development of the Sino-French relations for the past three and
half years, the ambassador said.
From 2003 to 2005, the cultural exchange was consummated with
the holdings of the Chinese Culture Year in France and the French
Culture Year in China, two culture-promotion fairs held across the
two countries respectively, the ambassador said.
The cultural exchange for two years in a row, which has dwarfed
most other similar events in terms of its scale and scope, is the
first of its kind in the history of the Sino-French relations, he
said, adding that its influence has reached well beyond the two
countries' geographical borders.
For example, within one year, some 370 Chinese cultural
delegations visited France.
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties between China and France, these activities have
helped deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the
two countries, Zhao said.
In the educational area, the list can also go on and on, the
ambassador said.
China and France ushered in a new era in higher education
exchange between Chinese and foreign academies by setting up a
joint school granting doctorate.
China and France each will dispatch about 400 young people in
various fields to the other's country this year and next year for
more cooperation.
As manifested by such accomplishments, it would be safe to say
that the Sino-French relations are enjoying a wonderful time, the
ambassador concluded.
(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006）
