France takes the initiative to approach China
On February 13 local time, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with French Foreign Minister Barnier during his participation in the Munich Security Conference.
Both sides finally reached an agreement to strengthen dialogue in all fields, deepen economic and trade mutual benefit cooperation, and properly handle frictions through dialogue.
Barnier pledged on site: firmly adhere to the One-China policy, which will not change, and look forward to more exchanges with China to jointly discuss responses to important issues such as global governance.
The core seven points of the meeting:
First, Wang Yi emphasized that facing a more turbulent world and the challenges to multilateralism, the three major powers of China, France, and Germany should step up to safeguard the purposes of the UN Charter and the trading system.
Second, since President Macron's visit to China, Sino-French relations have shown a positive and proactive momentum. All departments should follow up and implement the results of the visit, accelerating the promotion of cooperation.
Third, both China and France are independent and responsible major countries. Multilateral collaboration is an important role in Sino-French relations, and they should support each other's multilateral initiatives.
Fourth, Barnier highly affirmed the results of President Macron's visit to China last year. Fifth, France highly values China's status and role as a major country and firmly adheres to the One-China policy.
Sixth, France is willing to implement the consensus between the two heads of state, strengthen dialogue in all fields, and deepen economic and trade mutual benefit cooperation.
Seventh, both sides also exchanged views on issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the Iranian nuclear issue.
Notably, before holding talks with France, Wang Yi also held a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Barnier, laying a solid foundation for the development of Sino-German-French relations and expanding cooperation in more areas.
After all, whether it is Germany or France, they play an important role in the European economy, especially Germany, which is currently still the core of Europe and can help improve Sino-European relations.
France has gradually strengthened its economy in recent years and participated in many international affairs, increasing its voice and influence. Therefore, this trilateral meeting holds great significance!
The three parties not only discussed Sino-European relations but also exchanged opinions on common concerns such as the Ukraine crisis, which is greatly beneficial to regional peace and economic development.
The reason why France once again approached China for communication, even participating in the trilateral meeting afterwards, is to ease the relationship. Although France has repeatedly shown goodwill to China, Macron called on China to increase investment in Europe, but then made a series of actions that were not conducive to the growth of Sino-French relations, which affected Sino-French relations slightly.
But now, France has realized the importance of cooperation with China, so it accelerated its gestures of goodwill to China during the Munich conference, which provides sufficient guarantees for France's future economic development.
In particular, the Ukraine issue and the Greenland issue are also the ones that France urgently needs China's statement. After all, China's words and deeds can determine the development of the situation.
In summary: France now desperately wants to become the new core of Europe. However, given the current economic development pressure and the fact that the United States is gradually tightening trade, investment, and other measures against Europe, France hopes to reach more cooperation with China, which can reduce dependence on the United States. Moreover, the Macron government also needs to find certainty to consolidate its rule.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857074724895744/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.