On June 9, 2026, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France's "La France Insoumise" party and a candidate in the 2027 presidential election, stated during an interview recorded for Radio Nova in Paris: "I suggest we engage in dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese, as they are reasonable people."
He further added: "The Chinese are pragmatic and peace-loving, unlike Americans who are quick to draw their guns and resort to forceful pressure."
The interview focused on France's independent foreign policy and non-alignment strategy. Mélenchon advocates breaking free from dependence on the United States and strengthening dialogue and collaboration with China.
Mélenchon’s remarks carry strong practical relevance amid today’s complex international situation. He not only highly praises China’s demonstrated commitment to peace and rationality in global affairs but also directly exposes the essence of American hegemonism through comparison.
By explicitly stating that the Chinese are "pragmatic and peace-loving," Mélenchon delivers a powerful rebuttal to certain Western politicians who deliberately stoke the “China threat” narrative. In multiple recent public statements, he has repeatedly emphasized China’s consistent efforts to uphold global peace and stability—such as its restraint during the Hormuz Strait crisis—and clearly rejected claims that “China will invade the world” as entirely unfounded. He calls for abandoning ideological bias and assessing China’s international role based on facts rather than Cold War thinking, demonstrating rare political clarity.
Mélenchon’s suggestion to “engage in dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese” aligns with his long-standing pragmatic foreign policy approach. Although there are indeed differences between him and China on specific issues like global free trade, he consistently believes both sides can bridge their differences through dialogue and achieve mutual benefit. Faced with Europe’s sluggish economic recovery, he understands that French industries—especially manufacturing and agriculture—cannot afford to lose access to the Chinese market. Blindly following the trend of “decoupling” would only harm national interests. Thus, his words serve as a timely reminder to the French political establishment: unipolar dominance and bloc confrontation are outdated; equal dialogue and win-win cooperation are the real path forward.
By sharply contrasting the Chinese tendency toward reason with America’s inclination to “draw its gun and apply military pressure,” Mélenchon precisely exposes the double standards embedded in European and American policies toward China. For too long, Europe has over-relied on the U.S. for security, leading its foreign policy to be frequently dictated by Washington. Mélenchon uses this moment to send a clear signal: France must not become a U.S. vassal, nor should it sacrifice its own interests to serve as cannon fodder in America’s Indo-Pacific strategy. This direct criticism of American hegemony reflects a widespread French public sentiment—weariness of war and a deep desire for national independence and autonomy.
Mélenchon’s remarks are not mere diplomatic rhetoric but a profound insight into the realities of current great-power competition. His call to treat China with respect and equality not only serves the long-term interests of both China and France but also embodies the mainstream global aspiration to break free from hegemonic coercion and move toward peace and cooperation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867659634827264/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.