French connection

Xi's visit to France coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, China and the EU will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their ties in 2015.

 

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French prime minister and vice-president of the French Senate, says Xi has a strong image in the world.

"We expect him to deliver a strong but also responsible message when he visits Europe and France."

Raffarin says for the first time in history, the interests of China are closely bound up with the interests of the rest of the world. China and France need to reinforce their global partnership and France needs to discuss with Chinese authorities a common global strategy.

"I think a multi-polar strategy is one of the subjects that will come up for discussion. We have to tell the world that we want to cooperate more and in all fields. China and France also need to make sure that they share the same vision of the world. They also have to talk about economic matters and bilateral investment as the two countries need more cooperation and common projects in new areas."

Pierre Picquart, a China observer and professor of geopolitics at the University of Paris VIII, says Xi's visit to France will be a great opportunity to create a strong platform for future relations.

"We must develop our bilateral relations and engage new concrete economic programs in all areas. Both China and France will benefit from the positive relationship."

The economic future of France implies that it is moving in this new direction with the goal of promoting its partnerships with China, Asia and other emerging countries, Picquart says. Asia, especially China, is booming, which is an opportunity for France to strengthen its ties with China, he says.

"We need to be more open, more confident and more pragmatic, and base our relations on major long-term projects. France should continue to welcome Chinese enterprises, Chinese investment and Chinese students to establish large partnerships.

Alice Ekman, a China analyst at the French Institute for International Relations, says China is in transition. Major economic reforms and institutional reshuffling have been announced under the leadership led by Xi and this represents an opportunity for bilateral relations, she says.

 

With China's development strategy, including urbanization, healthcare and energy, French companies can look for opportunities, she says.

"But this also represents a challenge as the bilateral relation needs to adjust to the new contexts," she says.

"Understanding the new institutional and policy framework currently under construction in China is a difficult task. In practical terms, an increase in the number of bilateral meetings, both formal and informal, is the key to deepening mutual understanding."

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Li Xiaofei contributed to this story.