Brief introduction to relations between China and France
( 2003-05-27 10:01 ) (8)

I. Political Relations

On January 27 1964, China and France established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. Since then, the Sino-French relations have been developing smoothly on the whole. However, the relationship experienced severe setbacks in the early 1990s' owing to the French arms sales to Taiwan. On January 12 1994, the two governments issued Joint Communiqué in which the French side was committed not to authorize the French companies to participate in arming Taiwan any more, thus bringing the bilateral relations back to the right track. At present, the two sides enjoy good relations, and both sides are carrying out conducted fruitful cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture, science, technology and education, etc.

Exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries are as follows:

In April 1994, Prime Minister Balladur visited China.

In September 1994, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to France.

In April 1996, Premier Li Peng visited France.

In March 1997, Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC Qiao Shi visited France.

In May 1997, President Chirac paid a visit to China. The two Heads of State signed Sino-French Joint Communique, dedicating themselves in building the full-round partnership toward the 21st Century.

In April 1998, Premier Zhu Rongji visited France.

In May 1998, Chairman of CPPCC Li Ruihuan visited France.

In September 1998, Prime Minister Jospin visited China.

In September 1999, the French Senate President Poncelet visited China.

In October 1999, President Jiang Zemin paid his second state visit to France.

In October 2000, President Jacques Chirac visited China again.

In April 2001, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing visited France.

In November 2001, Vice-President Hu Jintao visited France.

In September 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji visited France.

II. Trade Relations

1. Bilateral Trade

According to the General Customs Office of China, the total volume of bilateral trade between China and France in 1999 amounted to US $6.71 billion, which was 11.2% more than that of the last year. It reached US $5.98 billion from January to October 2000, 11.2% more than that of the same period of the year before. Out of this figure, China's export reached 3.01 billion, increasing 29.4% as against that of the proceeding year, its import amounted to USD 2.96, 2.9% less than that of the previous year.

2. Financial Cooperation

Up to the end of June 2002, China and France had signed a total of 23 financial protocols and two agreements on grant. The total amount of government loans pledged by the French side was approximately 2.57 billion euros. The two sides had arranged 133 loan projects in total. France was one of the countries that have provided largest amount of government loans to China.

3. French Investment in China

The French investment in China focuses mainly on the fields like Energy, Automobile, Chemistry, Light Industry and Food Processing.Up to the end of 2001, there were 1,870 projects with French direct investment in China. The contracted investment was approximately US$6.26 billion and the capital actually invested was US$5.03 billion, ranking third among the EU countries. In 2001, there were 150 projects with French direct investment in China, and the contracted investment was US$510 million, and the capital actually invested was US$590 million. From January to June 2002,there were 69 new projects with French direct investment in China, and the contracted investment was US$528 million and the capital actually invested was US$240 million.

4. Economic Agreements

The two sides signed Shipping Agreement, Air Transport Agreement, and the Long-term Economic Cooperation Agreement, Agreement on Avoidance of Double-taxation, Agreement on Investment Protection and Agreement on Intellectual Rights Cooperation. They also established Mixed Commission on Economics & Trade as well as that for Cooperation on Agriculture & Agricultural Food.

III. Exchanges and Cooperation in Other Fields

1.Science

The two countries have signed Agreements on Scientific & Technological Exchanges and Cooperation, Agreement on Environmental Protection Cooperation, Agreement on Cooperation of Development and Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy, Agreement on Health & Medical Science Cooperation, Agreement on Cooperation of Research & Peaceful Use of Space. The governmental Joint Commission on Science & Technology was set up to hold Sino-French annual meeting on advanced technology research plans.Up to the end of 2001, the two sides had signed a total of 1,606 contracts for introducing technologies totaling US$10.08 billion, which covered many areas such as space utilization (remote sensing technology), cooperation in nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, coal cleaning and electricity generation with wind power.

2.Culture

The two countries have set up governmental Mixed Commission on Culture, and signed three-year plan for cultural exchanges. The plan involves mutual exchanges of teachers, professional lectures, art performances and matches, exhibitions, film weeks and art festivals, etc.

3. Education

The two countries have signed Agreement on Educational Exchange & Cooperation, holding regular consultation meetings. In recent years, the two sides have had 24 educational exchange projects. The two sides exchange scholarship students every year. Up to the end of 2001, there were approximately 2,776 Chinese students studying in France and 1,057 French students studying in China.Certain universities and middle schools in both countries have set up language courses of the opposite side. China's TV and Radio also have programs on French language teaching.

4. Military Contacts

Navy Commander Shi Yunsheng in 2001 and Director of the General Equipment Department Cao Gangchuan in 2002. Chief of Staff of the Three Armed Services Jean-Pierre Kelche in 2000, Chief of Staff of the Navy Force Luc Delaunay in 2000, Chief of Staff of the Air Force 拉努 in 2002 and Chief of Staff of the Navy Force 巴泰 in 2002 .

IX. Important Documents

In March 2002, Sino-French Agreement on cooperation in education.

In September 2002, the Agreement between the Chinese and French Governments on cultural cooperation.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China )