China's Xi hails ties with France in face of global 'uncertainties'
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Jan 26, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed ties with France on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, calling for closer relations between Paris and Beijing in response to global tensions.

Speaking in a video message to a reception in Beijing on Thursday evening, Xi said six decades of diplomatic relations had served "world peace, stability and development".

"The two sides should unswervingly develop bilateral relations and respond to world uncertainties with the stability of China-France relations," Xi said.

He also urged "the two sides to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all" and "continue to contribute to maintaining world peace and stability and addressing global challenges".

France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years, with Paris's then-top diplomat in November visiting Beijing and saying the two countries must "strive to find answers to major challenges".

President Emmanuel Macron also visited in April, receiving a rock star welcome at a university in southern China from a mob of hundreds of screaming students and fans.

But he faced accusations of cosying up to Beijing and sparked controversy by saying Europe shouldn't be a "follower" of the United States in the event of conflict with China over Taiwan.

China warns EU's economic image 'at stake' after new trade curbs
Beijing (AFP) Jan 25, 2024 - China on Thursday warned the European Union's economic image was "at stake" after the bloc unveiled new measures to protect sensitive technology from falling into the hands of geopolitical rivals.

"The EU's image in the fields of economics and international trade is at stake," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, urging the EU against "taking anti-globalisation" steps.

Brussels has bolstered its armoury of trade restrictions to tackle what it deems to be risks to European economic security, following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and global trade tensions.

And on Wednesday, EU officials outlined an economic security package containing five initiatives, including toughening rules on the screening of foreign direct investment (FDI) and launching discussions on coordination in the area of export controls.

Asked about the new rules Thursday, Wang warned "the international community has been very concerned about the EU's protectionist unilateralism in the economic and trade spheres".

"Current trends will only intensify these concerns," he said.

"We hope that the EU will respect free trade, free competition and open cooperation, which are the fundamental norms of the market economy," Wang said.

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