At the meeting of a visiting Chinese Entrepreneurs Club delegation in France in June 2013, Hollande promised to ensure more safety for Chinese tourists. (Photo/CNTV)
French President François Hollande is paying a state visit to China on Nov. 2-3, a major event for Sino-French relations. It's Hollande's second visit to the nation, since he assumed office.
This visit occurs amidst growing high-level exchanges between China and Europe. Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the United Kingdom on Nov. 19-23, which was a tremendous success.
Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel had just visited China over the weekend. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had accompanied her to Hefei, his hometown. It's Merkel's 8th visit to the country. The King of Netherlands paid a state visit to China on Oct. 25-29.
Before the end of year, the China and Eastern and Central Europe Summit will take place in China. It's the first time China and Europe have held such intensive exchanges. China-Europe cooperation is gathering strong momentum.
Better cooperation is not accidental. The Chinese and European economies are complementary. Europe holds numerous assets, such as high-tech products, innovations, great brands and a mature market.
China has a huge market with strong growth potential. Chinese companies are going global. Europe is an important destination for them. Further cooperation can give a strong boost to both sides in economic development.
And since the end of the Cold War, the world has moved into a transitional period. The major issue for international affairs has been mono-polarity versus multi-polarity. China and Europe stand for multi-polarity.
Hollande's state visit offers an excellent opportunity to develop China-French cooperation in many areas.
Climate change is a major challenge facing humanity. France will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference from November 30 to December 11. Sino-French cooperation is crucial for its success.
Last July, Premier Li visited France and signed a joint statement to target the third country market, an important break-through for international cooperation to defuse futile rivalries.
On Oct 21, the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group and EDF had agreed to jointly build and run a nuclear power station in Hinckley Point, UK. Additionally, China and France can do much more together in Africa as well.
Cooperation between Chinese and French SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) offer huge potential. France has many excellent SMEs, but they have difficulties penetrating the Chinese market.
Hollande's visit gives opportunity for the two sides to facilitate more cooperation between Chinese and French SMEs.
France has strong capacity for innovations, which needs the market to fly. China can provide those market conditions.
France has proven to be open-minded with China in terms of the transfer of technology. Paris was the first to sign a science and technology agreement with Beijing.
France is the world's 6th largest economy. However, bilateral trade between China and France lags behind that of China and the Netherlands.
Last year, the trade volume between China and France was 55 billion US dollars, while trade volume between China and the Netherlands was 86.4 billion US dollars. There is no reason for France to lag behind the Netherlands, if they work together.
The Chinese appreciate French culture. For many Chinese tourists, France is their first destination of choice. So, what stands in the way of further cooperation? Chinese tourists' safety is a major concern.
At the meeting of a visiting Chinese Entrepreneurs Club delegation in France in June 2013, Hollande promised to ensure more safety for Chinese tourists.
France was the first to establish diplomatic ties in 1964 with Beijing among the major Western powers. Sino-French relations are mature. Hollande's China visit may push ahead for better bilateral relations.
