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Sarkozy takes the stand

By Brendan John Worrell (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-07-10 15:27

President Sarkozy's decision to attend the opening ceremony is a positive development for France-China relations and injects some optimism and goodwill back into the event.

How quick we forget that only a few years ago France and China were in the midst of a delightful courtship, signposted when President Hu visited France at the beginning of 2004. At this time the 'Year of China' took place in France. Later, President Chirac also launched a grand "Year of France" here in China.

Sarkozy had his work cut out for him stepping into such shoes. When he took over the helm there was hype. The presence of an ex-super model on his arm, whet the media's appetite. It also complemented the fascination here for French fashion.

Nevertheless, it detracted seriousness away from his agenda, an agenda which inevitably, sets him at odds with many sectors of society, not just domestically back in France.

But Sarkozy should not be convicted so quickly. A greater reading into his workload needs to be carried out before we really formulate a judgment into his performance and vision for France, Europe, the global order and bilateral relations between China and France.

Furthermore, a nation, its people and its relations with the outside world are far greater, far more complex and far longer lasting than the time of just one leader in office. What France has brought and offers to the world is far beyond the present whim of political barometers.

Nevertheless, from the prosecution's side Sarkozy stands guilty particularly in the realm of diplomacy.

Two instances in France, one at an agricultural show February, when a farmer refused to shake his hand, and more recently another at France 3 TV station, when a studio technician failed to say hello, both saw him respond in a manner unbefitting for a leader.

Elsewhere offering naive support to Tibet separatists does not bode well for business here and jeopardizes links between China and France. Such links are alleged to have been strained and affected recent Chinese tourism numbers intent on visiting France this summer. On the flipside it may have put off many French from visiting China for holidays which for many years has been one of the greatest inbound tourism groups coming to the middle kingdom.

His performance has also not assisted the many expatriate French workers here on Chinese soil, who have been suffering from anti French sentiment as of late. Nor does it assist current joint ventures between the two countries that are helping to leverage China's economy, environment and energy development which at the same time serve to boost the local French economy.

Turning to the defense, perhaps the most regrettable misunderstanding that has occurred during his tenure was when the Olympic torch relay made its way through Paris early April.

Of note what we need to realize here is that the sloppy mess surrounding the local police management of the route was perhaps no different to the customary chaotic scenes one may find in that capital, where revolt and protest is more commonplace, as in London.

The French pride themselves on liberty and their right to express their views on the streets, though in this situation, certain elements went beyond the realms of decency and a few fools cost them dearly in the hearts and mind of many. Harassing a one legged lady in a wheelchair and bashing through a blind man will not win you any friends anywhere.

This however shouldn't be attached to Sarkozy or the whole country.

Appreciating his lack of calm and tendency to respond politely in more recent times we have to remember that he is attempting to modernize France's economy and society at many levels and is meeting a lot of resistance.

But here is a man who isn't afraid to step up to the plate and take a swing at a situation he feels is in need of addressing. He has made a commitment to get tough on crime, to revitalize his nation's economy, to speak out against the US led invasion into Iraq and to pledge domestic support for Muslims on French soil.

In terms of education, which for years has been subsidized and cushioned from real market forces, with French university students receiving virtually free education, the challenges awaiting him are immense. Within this segment of French society come the most vocal of protestors and in April around the time of the torch relay in Paris, protests against his education reforms were also being carried out.

According to an article written last November in the Australian Newspaper in their Higher Education supplement, "What irks Sarkozy is that not a single (French) university appears in the list of top 40 universities in the world. He believes the sector is falling behind its international peers and he holds it partly responsible for France's failure to compete globally."

Passing our verdict today may be premature. Thankfully today things look to be back on the mend. Sarkozy can get back to work addressing the many issues he has set himself the task towards solving. Chinese can rest assured that the majority of French citizens are fully supportive and interested in the coming games. And long lasting cordial relations between the two countries may continue to forge ahead well into the future.