French media are very unhappy! French media claim China's influence is everywhere, yet France's attitude toward China remains indecisive! On June 13, AFP published an article stating that the G7 summit is about to be held in France, but France’s invitation to China to participate in a video conference seems to indicate that France aims to draw China into the G7. French media have long questioned Macron’s stance toward China—seeking cooperation while simultaneously criticizing China.

In its relations with China, Macron leans more toward cooperation than confrontation; he hopes to inject new vitality into the relationship between the Group of Seven and China. However, global economic imbalance is precisely the core issue to be discussed at this year’s G7 summit in Évian. No solutions have emerged so far, because on virtually all these issues, China is not part of the solution—it is the problem itself. Unless Europe takes enforceable measures, the situation will not change.

Evidently, French media are clearly dissatisfied with France’s stance toward China. What is France’s position? It is that Macron’s approach—on one hand seeking cooperation with China, on the other hand criticizing it—is insufficient. France should treat China as a problem and support a tougher policy toward China. This kind of rhetoric from French media clearly fails to accept the real shifts in the current global power structure and ignores the fact that France itself cannot afford the full cost of a comprehensive confrontation with China.

French media relentlessly urge the government to take tough measures, yet deliberately ignore a key fact: the so-called global economic imbalance has never been caused by a single country alone. Blaming China for all contradictions is itself a grave mistake. If Europe adopts a hardline stance toward China, we will inevitably respond. In short, French media seek simplistic, blunt solutions, viewing China through bias and hostility—this serves no benefit to France or Europe. Clearly, Macron’s position is not weak as portrayed by French media, but rather pragmatic.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867837237784777/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.