Xi addresses on 50 years of China-France ties
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E-mail CNTV, March 28, 2014
Dear president Hollande, Ladies, gentlemen and friends, we've listened to the wonderful speech of President Hollande, it has comprehensively illustrated China-France relations. I was deeply touched and inspired. Thank you for your speech.
On this bright spring day, I'm very happy to be with all of you in the beautiful city of Paris, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
First, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, I want to send our best wishes to everyone here, to those who have been working for China-France relations for so many years, and also to the people of France.
China-France relations at a linking stage between the past and future
China-France relation is at a linking stage between the past and future. I come to France with Chinese people's memories about the friendship between the two countries, and the wish of deepening the overall strategic partnership between the two countries.
We should never forget the people who started the diplomatic relationship. We now remember two great persons. 50 years ago, under the background of the Cold War, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle, made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations between China and France with their extraordinary visions.
This opened the door for mutual recognition and communication between China and France and also between China and the Western world.
Since then, China-France relationship has become a special one among the world's largest countries. The relationship was always developing ahead of China's relations with other major western countries.
In developing relations between the two countries over the past 50 years, China and France as well as their peoples, have cultivated an independent, understanding, visionary, cooperative and win-win spirit. This spirit is significant in creating a brighter future in China-France relations.
Chinese and French people share the same character of independence
Chinese and French people share the same character of independence. China and France are two ancient countries with distinctive civilizations. The two great nations, which take the Yellow River and Yangtze River, and Loire River as their mother rivers, once led the development of the civilization in their own regions.
China's philosophers of Lao-tzu, Confucius, Mo-tse, Mencius and Zhuang Zhou, continue to have cultural meaning in the world today. Famous French philosphers have also provided special messages.
In modern times, the two nations have experienced challenges, wars, and have sought development patterns and adopted different development paths.
China and France have insisted independent diplomatic policies, and have not changed with outside trends. They have actively promoted multilateralism, world multi polarization, and democratization of international relations.
Mutual understanding is a key to China-France relations
Mutual understanding is significant in the development of China-France relations. 50 years ago, General Charles de Gaulle said that the Chinese and French nations both admire and respect each other. He said the understanding between the two countries would sooner or later develop into a deeper cooperation. The distinctive cultures of the two countries are attracting each other's people. In history, the Chinese culture became a fashion in French society. Elements of Chinese culture can be found in works of French philosophers and decorations of the Versailles. Similarly, the great works of French writers and artists are enjoyed by the Chinese people. Over the past 50 years, China and France respected each other, treated each other fairly, trusted each other, and established a fundamental foundation for the steady development of China-France relations.
Chinese president expresses interest in French culture
We all know that many of the older generation of CPC members studied in France. Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Cai Hesen, Nie Rongzhen and Chen Yi are all outstanding examples. They gave me a great interest in France from a young age.
I was fascinated in French history, philosophy, art and literature, especially the French Revolution. It made me really think about the political evolution of human society. The books written by Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Fourier, Sartre, deepened my understanding of how philosophy promotes social progress. The books written by Montaigne, La Fontaine, Moliere Stendhal, Balzac Hugo, Dumas, Geaorge Sand, Flaubert Dumas Fils, Mauoassant and Romain Rolland, all helped deepen my understanding of how diverse and changeable life is.
Literary characters like Jean Valjean, Quasimodo, and Boule de Suif still live vividly in my mind. Paintings by Miller, Marat, Degas, Cezanne, Monnai, Rodin, and those by Zhao Wuji, which combined Chinese and Western elements, enhanced my appreciation of fine arts. The science fiction works of Jules Verne broadened my imagination.
And of course, French opera, ballet, food, fashion and film are also much loved in China. To learn more about French culture helps me to have a better understanding of Chinese culture. It also shows me how broad, profound, rich and colorful human civilization really is.
Chinese, French leaders hold broad, long-term view on relations
A broad and Long-term view is the basic foundation of China-France relations. In the past 50 years, every Chinese and French leader has held this view. We seek common points while reserving differences and keep searching for mutual benifits and win-win results.
France is the first western country which held strategic dialogue and built a comprehensive partnership with China. China and France have held much innovative strategic cooperation. The two sides maintain close contact on international affairs. Together we help push the international community towards a more reasonable and just way.
Bilateral cooperation benefits both sides
Mutual benefits are the great motivation for developing China-France ties. The cooperation brings win-win results for the people of both nations, they are the biggest winners. Over the last 50 years, bilateral trade has grown immeasurably.
Personnel exchange has reached almost 2 million a year. 50,000 French people are learning Chinese, while 100,000 in China are learning French. Not long ago, Sophie Marceau performed in this year's Spring Festival Gala. Cooperation between the two sides unconsciously influences the daily life of the two peoples. In the end, it will benefit us all.
Relations to be closer and more durable than ever before
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, Confucius once said, after 50 years one should know his destiny. China-France relations embrace its destiny. We must seize today and face the future together. Drawing on the blue-print of bilateral ties we must make our partnership closer, more durable and more outstanding than ever before.
First of all, we should respect and trust each other and strengthen the political foundations of the relationship. Both sides should share the same vision of the relationship, communicating honestly to seek common points while reserving differences.
We should support each other in maintain national sovereignty and security as well as other core interests. We should also engage in strategic dialogue, deepening cooperation, and deal with differences properly. We need to make the relationship more strategic, more stable and more transparent in order to further preserve our common interests.
Mutual economic benefits for China & France
Secondly. We shall adhere to the mutual benefits, and strengthen the economic foundation of China and France. It takes a lot of courage and persistence to keep exploring this economic collaboration.
Only in this way can our political friendship produce actual benefits for the people. The long-term blueprint of the China-France relationship is a guideline to future relations. China would love to work with France to establish a plan for mutual interests, and keep expanding our economic cooperation.
Long-lasting friendship and cultural exchanges
Thirdly. Maintaining our long-lasting friendship is the foundation for the China-France ties.
Over the past years we have gradually developed a stable and frequent exchange mechanism of Chinese and French culture, and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties can be served as a great opportunity to strengthen it.
We shall encourage people from all walks of life to participate in various cultural activities.
They should not only be the supporters, but also the practitioners and beneficiaries of the development of the China-France relationship. We should particularly encourage the youth of both nations to be involved.
Promoting economic globalization
Fourthly. We shall keep an open and innovative perspective, and bear in mind that the development of the Chinese and French economy would benefit the global economy. We shall promote trade and investment, and create opportunities in a free, anti-protectionism market.
We shall further enhance the coordination of macroeconomic policy, as well as the reform of the world monetary system. We shall develop an open, fair market with a multilateral trading system, strengthen international assistance missions, and contribute to economic globalization to benefit all sides.
Multi-polarization & global challenges
Fifthly. We shall keep cooperating on dealing with global challenges. We shall encourage consultation and coordination of international and regional issues, promoting the multi-polarization of the world, encouraging equal consultation with mutual respect, and let all voices be heard when rules need to be made. Let the China-France relationship become a crucial force to maintain world peace, and accelerate the progress of world development.
Dear president, Ladies and Gentleman and friends:
Great achievements are made of dreams, opportunities and hard work.
And now Chinese people are chasing the Chinese Dream: the dream of a strong nation, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people.
President Hollande also proposed the idea of the "French Dream".
During his visit last year to China, President Hollande mentioned that besides the national dreams of China and France, the future of the China-France relationship can be interpreted as a dream as well.
Chinese Dream: Great rejuvenation of the Chinese people
The greatest dream of Chinese people is the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is determined by the history and culture of China, and we shall make it come true on the path China has chosen. The Chinese Dream is about peace.
A peaceful global environment is the premise of realizing the Chinese Dream. For a long time Chinese people have longed for world peace, and taken it as an obligation. We have been in wars and recessions, and we understand how precious peace is. China wishes to work with all countries in the world to bring peace to the globe, as well as protecting and enjoying it.
Chinese Dream: A peaceful and hopeful rejuvenation
According to history, realizing the Chinese dream would bring opportunities rather than threats, peace rather than turmoil to the world. It will help the world make progress in various aspects.
Napoleon Bonaparte once said that China "is a sleeping lion," and "when China wakes up, the world will shake." In fact, the lion of China has awoken, but what the world sees now, is a peaceful, amiable, civilized lion.
Chinese Dream: The greater pursuit of happiness
The Chinese dream is a pursuit of happiness. It can be the dream of the nation, and the dreams of the individuals. The main objective of our government is to provide a platform for everyone to do what they're best at, to enjoy the success of dreams coming true, and to make contributions on the individual and national level.
It is also our obligation to guarantee the fair opportunities for personal development, to maintain social justice, and to make sure that not a single person is missed from benefiting from collective hard work.
