PARIS, May 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has highlighted the
profound significance of President Xi Jinping's three-day visit to
France, particularly amid the
current turbulent geopolitical landscape and global uncertainties,
saying it is not only timely but essential for fostering a deeper
mutual understanding and strengthening collaborative efforts
between the two nations.
"The visit of President Xi Jinping to France marks a pivotal moment, especially when
the world faces such perilous challenges," Raffarin said in an
exclusive interview with China
Daily. "We cannot envision the world's future without
considering China, and, likewise, it is not in China's interest to
disregard Europe."
He emphasized the necessity of continuous dialogue with China,
stating: "We need to have a very regular dialogue with China. I
think that Emmanuel Macron is the leader of the West who best
understands Xi Jinping's thinking, having spent many hours
discussing with the Chinese president."
The latest discussions between Xi and Macron are expected to
cover urgent global issues, including climate change and strategic
geopolitical questions.
Raffarin expressed his satisfaction with the focus of the talks,
recognizing their importance not just for France or China, but for the entire world.
"These discussions are vital, as the world navigates through a
dangerous period," he said.
Raffarin, who served as prime minister from 2002 to 2005,
asserted that France holds a
unique position in Europe, having
established a model for engaging in meaningful discussions with
China, choosing cooperation over confrontation.
"France probably has the
closest relationship with China within Europe, despite differing viewpoints. We share
a vision of a multilateral world," he explained.
During the interview, Raffarin laid out what he sees as the key
areas for enhancing cooperation between France and China, emphasizing cultural
exchange, environmental preservation and the establishment of new
multilateral regulations as foundational elements of the
partnership.
"We need to focus on cultural questions to understand the
societies between France and China
better. Furthermore, protecting our planet for future generations
is now a priority, necessitating a global consensus, particularly
among the young people," Raffarin said.
He also touched upon the need for common regulations in emerging
technologies, including artificial intelligence, or AI, suggesting
they could form the basis for the reform of global
multilateralism.
Addressing strategic misalignments in global politics,
particularly regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 75-year-old emphasized a
strong and balanced Europe is
beneficial for China.
Looking ahead, Raffarin voiced his concern about the current
direction of global politics, advocating strongly for cooperation
over confrontation.
"In a world leaning toward confrontation, we need to steer back
toward cooperation," he said. "This is the only way forward for a
stable and prosperous global community."
He added that he views Xi's visit as a cornerstone for not only
reinforcing the China-France
relationship but also setting a precedent for how major global
powers should interact in an increasingly multipolar world.
As tensions continue to rise on various fronts, the
collaboration between China and France could indeed play a crucial role in
navigating the complex web of international relations, he
noted.
Raffarin welcomed Xi's commitment to expanding access and
welcoming French companies and investment into China, underscoring
the need for reciprocal relations between China and Europe.
"What we seek is reciprocity," he said. "The rules that apply to
Chinese companies in Europe should
similarly apply to European companies in China."
By WANG MINGJIE
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SOURCE China Daily