France, China's strategic partner, never a rival

• Source: Global Times
• [23:19 June 20 2010]
• Comments

GT: The spreading European sovereignty debt crisis may stall global economic recovery. Against this backdrop, how do you see the future aspects of the Sino- French relationship?

Cai: Three dominant factors determine the Sino-French relationship: the world situation, the balance of power between the two countries, and the personal factors of key political figures.

The spreading European debt crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity. China and France are in the same boat. With more interests overlapping, cooperation and coordination become easier.

The Sino-French relationship is never a zero-sum game. Some frictions or conflicts are natural. The healthy growth of bilateral ties is in the fundamental interests of both nations.

As early as the 1960s, Chairman Mao regarded developing nations as the "first intermediate zone," and the western European countries as the "second intermediate zone." In good times or bad times, we always see France as a strategic partner, never a rival.