The presidents of China and France witnessed the signing of
12 agreements ranging from nuclear energy to education to panda conservation during the latter’s visit to Beijing and Chengdu last week. That was a predictable outcome. What set the trip apart, along with Xi Jinping’s “friendly, candid and fruitful” talks with Emmanuel Macron, was that it was a counterpoint to rising tensions over issues including the Ukraine war and claims of Chinese manufacturing overcapacity.
Hence Macron’s description of the agreements as “very important”. He added that both sides needed to find ways to increase Chinese investments in France and Europe,
urging Chinese firms to bridge technology gaps in the battery, electric vehicle and solar power sectors. In a separate meeting during the visit with Chinese and French businesses, Xi said China regarded France as an “indispensable economic and trade partner”. He called for understanding and respect for each other’s core interests.
The joint vow to expand cooperation on nuclear issues among other global challenges reflected evolving trade and economic relations. In that regard, Macron told a European summit on digital sovereignty last month Europe does not want to be a “vassal” that is dependent on the United States’ and Chinese technology companies.
This concern is important background to Macron’s visit. French media noted that in the past the French had expressed interest in selling technology to China. This time the talks conveyed the reverse message – that Europe is in the market for technology from China, reflecting its ascent up the value chain.
Over the past 10 years, machinery, such as Airbus and nuclear technology components, featured in Chinese imports from France. Now China exports more machinery, amid French anxiety over the future of the aviation market as China develops its own
passenger fleet. Much of the technology for China’s third-generation nuclear power plants comes from France, which finds it has
slipped behind China on that front. Now Macron is calling for technology transfer.
China apparently hopes France, as a leading member of the European Union, can push for reform of global governance under United Nations-based rules. In the Chinese account of the talks, Xi said: “As founding members of the UN and permanent members of the Security Council, China and France should uphold genuine multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the UN at its core … and push for reform and improvement of global governance”.
