FRANCO CHINA OVERTURES

French leaders have been aggravating Washington for more than fifty years, starting with President Charles De Gaulle; Macron only continues with the tradition!

Remember the famous “Freedom Fries” when fast-food-loving Americans rejected all things French in retaliation to France’s refusal to support the American invasion of Iraq? Then French Foreign Minister Villepin had famously threatened to veto any UNSC resolution that mandated an invasion of Iraq.

We saw a replay during the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron when statements made on board the presidential aircraft to French journalists stirred up a veritable hornets’ nest in the U.S. and its allied countries in Europe.

The Guardian quotes President Macron as stating that it would be “a trap for Europe”, now it had developed more autonomy since the Covid pandemic, to get caught up in crises “that are not ours”. If there was an acceleration of conflict between the American and Chinese duopoly, “we will not have the time, nor the means to finance our own strategic autonomy and we will become vassals, whereas we could become the third pole [in the world order] if we have a few years to develop this”

The President was even more equivocal on Taiwan, provoking even more violent objections, when he said, as per the Guardian report, “Do we [Europeans] have an interest in speeding up on the subject of Taiwan? No. The worst of things would be to think that we Europeans must be followers on this subject and adapt ourselves to an American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction.”

Over the years, France and China have engaged in various economic, political, and cultural exchanges, forming a robust and intricate relationship. However, this relationship has not been without difficulties, especially in recent years, as tensions have increased over trade, human rights, and territorial disputes.

Since the days of General De ’Gaulle, France has never hesitated to bait the U.S. and has always been an advocate of a European-first foreign policy which has made it an outlier amongst its European partners and the tradition lives on.

A Wall Street Journal Editorial claimed that Macron’s “unhelpful comments” could undermine the global deterrence that the U.S. and its allies had been strenuously building against the growing belligerence of China while encouraging U.S. politicians like Trump, who are keen to scale down U.S. commitments in Europe.

European allies criticized Macron’s remarks on European strategic autonomy and the conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan, which raised concerns about transatlantic cooperation. However, his defenders contend that the EU shares France’s desire to increase trade with China and find common ground. Macron’s assertion that Taiwan was not Europe’s top priority undermines European arguments regarding the global significance of Ukraine’s independence and autonomy. Moreover, despite the importance of European strategic autonomy, constructive discussions and definitions are required to ensure that the concept does not undermine Europe’s alliance with the United States.

SINO FRENCH TIES: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

In the 19th Century, France was no different from other European colonial powers in a rush to seek markets and resources in the vast hinterland of China. In 1844 through the Treaty of Whampo, it was able to wrest from the Chinese Empire trading privileges identical to that of its biggest rival Great Britain. In 1900, along with Germany, Japan, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, it formed the Eight-Nation Alliance, which invaded China to crush the Boxer Revolt.

Only after its military debacle at Dien Bien Phu and retreat from Indo-China, it established formal diplomatic ties with Mao’s communist China in 1964.

Over the years, the two nations have engaged in various economic, political, and cultural exchanges, forming a robust and intricate relationship. However, this relationship has not been without difficulties, especially in recent years, as tensions have increased over trade, human rights, and territorial disputes.

Longstanding cultural and intellectual exchanges have shaped the relationship between France and China. French intellectuals have been attracted to Chinese philosophy, literature, and art for as long as the French have been fascinated by Chinese culture. This cultural connection has laid the groundwork for a strong diplomatic relationship between the two countries, which economic ties have bolstered. France is China’s fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral commerce expected to exceed 60 billion euros.

BUMPS IN SINO-FRANCO RELATIONSHIP

In recent years, France-China diplomacy has faced a variety of obstacles, including trade disputes. France, along with other Western nations, has accused China of engaging in unfair trade practices, such as dumping inexpensive products on European markets and stealing intellectual property. In response, China imposed tariffs on French products and was accused of launching cyberattacks against French businesses.

Human rights are yet another issue that has strained France-China relations. France has been a vocal critic of China’s human rights record, particularly its treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and its suppression of political dissidents in Hong Kong. In response, China has accused France of interfering in its internal affairs and has attempted to minimize human rights concerns.

Occasionally, these issues have threatened to eclipse the broader relationship between France and China, which is founded on a lengthy history of cultural exchange and economic cooperation.

China’s foreign policy has increasingly become more assertive, pursuing its interests without regard for international norms and standards. This has caused Western nations, including France, to be concerned about China’s intentions and the implications of its rising power.

France and China have persisted in engaging in diplomatic exchanges despite these obstacles. In 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron visited China on a state visit, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss economic and trade cooperation. Additionally, the two leaders discussed the need for increased cooperation on global issues such as climate change and international security.

Despite these obstacles, France and China have numerous opportunities to strengthen their diplomatic ties in areas such as infrastructure development, innovation, climate change, and cultural exchange. For instance, France is a leader in high-speed rail, whereas China has made significant strides in renewable energy and artificial intelligence. By combining their strengths, France and China could resolve some of the world’s most pressing issues.

This level of cooperation will not be simple to achieve. Both France and China will face various challenges, including geopolitical tensions and domestic political pressures. Moreover, the global context is undergoing accelerated change, with new challenges and opportunities emerging daily.

The Eu Factor

Since France is a major player in the EU, its relationship with China cannot be in a vacuum without taking into consideration the EU-China angle. As two of the main global players, China and the EU have a substantial impact on the global economy, trade, and security. Strong relations between the two parties can result in mutual benefits, whereas tensions or conflicts can gravely affect international stability.

One of the most important areas of cooperation between China and the EU is commerce. In 2020, bilateral trade surpassed €560 billion. The EU imports electronics, machinery, and textiles from China, while China imports primarily machinery, transportation equipment, and chemicals from the EU.

A robust economic partnership can increase employment opportunities and economic expansion for both parties. Moreover, with the rise of protectionist policies and trade disputes between major powers such as the United States and China, a robust trade relation- ship between China and the European Union can promote free and open trade globally.

Another source of contention is China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure and investment initiative that aims to connect China to Asia, Europe, and Africa. While some EU countries have welcomed the initiative to stimulate their economies, others have raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency and environmental standards associated with the projects. The EU has expressed its desire for the BRI to accord with EU standards and principles, such as social responsibility and sustainable development.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has also emphasized the significance of China-EU cooperation. The EU and China have collaborated to guarantee the availability of medical supplies, with China providing aid to EU nations in need. However, there have been instances of tension, such as accusations of prejudice against Chinese people in Europe and the controversy surrounding the virus’s origins.

Changing Contours Of The Transatlantic Alliance

Since the conclusion of World War II, the United States has been a vital security partner for many European nations through NATO and bilateral agreements. In recent years, however, there has been a growing perception among some European leaders that the United States may no longer be as dependable or committed to the transatlantic alliance as it once was. Several factors have contributed to this, including the rhetoric and policies of President Trump, his criticism of NATO allies for not spending enough on defence, and his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal.

Consequently, some European leaders have begun to advocate for greater European strategic autonomy, enabling the EU to act independently of the United States on certain issues, especially in the defence and security sectors. This does not necessarily imply that Europe wishes to sever ties with the United States or form a new military alliance but rather to develop its capabilities and play a more assertive role in international affairs.

However, there is still considerable debate in Europe regarding the scope and character of European strategic autonomy and how it should be balanced with the transatlantic alliance. Some nations, particularly those in Eastern Europe, remain steadfastly committed to the U.S. alliance and view any move toward strategic autonomy as a potential security risk. Others, notably France, have advocated for a more assertive European role in international affairs and have been more vocal in their calls for greater autonomy. However, the drift away from the U.S. has been slowed, if not arrested, by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was the best thing to happen for the fading transatlantic unity. The recent controversy surrounding Macron’s remarks on Taiwan and European strategic autonomy reflects the ongoing debate in Europe regarding the future of the transatlantic alliance and Europe’s role in the world. While there is widespread agreement that Europe must develop its capabilities and play a more assertive role, there are still significant differences among European nations regarding the most effective means of achieving this and how to strike a balance with the transatlantic partnership.

France’s membership in the European Union (EU) has complicated the country’s relationship with China. France has frequently pursued its interests, occasionally diverging from EU-wide policies. This has created tension with other European nations, who may believe France is undermining the EU’s ability to communicate with one voice on issues such as trade and human rights.

In recent years, France has endeavoured to assume a more assertive position on the international stage, positioning itself as an independent advocate on climate change and international security issues. This has led to tensions with both China and the United States, both of whom may believe France is exceeding its bounds.

Assessment

Despite the obstacles, France and China have numerous opportunities to strengthen their diplomatic relationship. Climate change cooperation is a prospective area of cooperation. China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, while France has been a global leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Another prospective area of cooperation involves cultural exchange. France and China share a diverse cultural history, and each nation could learn much from the other.

Diplomacy between France and China is intricate and multifaceted, with challenges and opportunities. France and China have continued to engage in diplomatic exchanges and have sought to strengthen their economic and cultural connections despite the trade dispute and human rights concerns. There is a great deal of potential for France and China to collaborate on global issues such as climate change and deepen their comprehension of each other’s cultures, despite numerous obstacles. Given its significance, it will be intriguing to observe how the relationship between France and China evolves over the coming years.

France has been an outspoken critic of China’s human rights record, especially its treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and its suppression of political dissidents in Hong Kong. Perhaps, its improvement of relationship could, in some remote way, help reduce the repression that the Uyghurs face in China.