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Why we need the French

By Brendan John Worrell (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-03-23 11:30

Pity the poor Iraqi "shoe throwing" journalist, 30-year-old Muntazer al-Zeidi, who was sentenced to prison last week for three years. In contrast, Premier Wen asked for leniency from the authorities in dealing with the Cambridge copy-cat hurler and in doing so he set a standard we can all aspire towards.

In these testing times it's encouraging to see a leader act with restraint, just think of the estimated 91,059 – 99,431 Iraqi lives, and all that money, that could have been spared if the Coalition of the Willing had taken the time to listen to those who cautioned against forming a posse.

Two of those that did object to the war were France and China. Last month they celebrated their 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and although the Christie’s auction house grabbed a lot of the headlines we shouldn’t lose sight of the mid to long term.

Particularly at present where energy, water and climate constraints are grappling China, fields in which French expertise is of prime utility, and particularly when France is gridlocked by strikes and horrendous economic data – now more than ever we need to re-strengthen ties.

Take a trip down under to my old city of Perth, Western Australia, where the southern hemisphere's largest desalination plant is in operation providing clean water thanks to a joint venture between local authorities and French-based international water treatment specialists, Degremon. The energy to drive this "drinkable water from the sea" facility also comes from wind turbines and this last year with north China suffering the worst drought in 50 years I just can't help but think of the opportunity here if we put our collective minds to the task.

With the continual push from rural to city continuing Chinese mega cities need to re-jig their waste water management systems to maximize precious resources and the French have a pivotal role to play. Here Veolia are spearheading this charge into more sustainable environments presently engaged in locations as diverse as Shanghai's Pudong, Lanzhou, Hohot, Haikou, Qingdao, Kunming and Tianjin – success in part nurtured by intelligent diplomacy years earlier.

As for cutting carbons, another player, French energy aficionados Areva are active working alongside Chinese provincial governments. The French Government which reportedly indirectly owns 93% of Areva's assets could now well benefit from the security and improved working relationship with China considering its present funding shortfall.

China's environment benefits from French expertise and the French get richer with every billion dollar deal brokered in China.

The alternative was evidenced last November when Beijing cancelled the EU-China summit as a result of President Sarkozy meeting with the Dalai Lama, impacting on others states, not just France and China.

Similarly the present stalemate regarding the Paris Club of Creditors and their moves to impede a billion dollar deal between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo is impeding the construction of Congolese roads, schools and hospitals that China has pledged to build in exchange for copper and cobalt mining rights.

Highlighting the juncture we now find ourselves at, former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan speaking last month mentioned China-France relations are at a 'crucial stage'.

In the past China-France mutuality was win-win for the economy and the environment.

Encouraging a move back to the board room last week US Energy Secretary Stephen Chu mentioned off hand the possibility that if his country were to implement a carbon cap and trade system then taxes on imported goods from less than green suppliers, ie China, could be imposed.

Amid the specter of increasing trade protectionism this ogre is the last thing Beijing needs as the dust storms of spring loom over the horizon.