CCG Scholars Optimistic about Future of China-France Relations after Presidential Election
Independent candidate Emmanuel Macron will become France’s next president, after he defeated his far-right rival Marine Le Pen by a wide margin on May 7. Right after the election was concluded, CCG held a roundtable seminar to discuss the prospect of globalization and the impact on the implementation of “One Belt, One Road” initiatives.
Tian Dewen, Professor of Institute of European Studies at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes Macron’s successful election is overall conducive to the development of China-France relations and China-Europe relations. It is safe to assume that French government will persist with neoliberalism policies at least in the next five years, in line with the trend of globalization. Macron has promised during his campaign to open up the economy, in a contrary to Le Pen’s closing-border policies. A French government under Macron’s leadership can help create a favorable international political environment for China’s globalization initiatives such as “One Belt, One Road”. In addition, China is also going through many reforms and structural changes, and therefore facing similar challenges as France. The two countries can borrow each other’s experience and lessons to reach their respective goals faster.
Sun Yongfu, CCG senior research fellow and Former Director General at European Affairs Department of the Ministry of Commerce，agreed to Tian’s argument, also believing Macron’s election will bring positive impact on the EU and benefit to China-EU cooperation. France is China’s 4th largest trade partner and investor. Macron has supported to expand the trade and economic relations with China while he served as the Minister of Economy.
Chu Yin, Deputy Director of “One Belt, One Road” Institute and Associate Professor at the University of International Relations, disagreed. He warned of the crises that may arise after Macron starts his administration, since he does not have the support of either left or right-wing political parties and have no established political agenda. His election is mostly due to Le Pen’s unpopularity. He believes Macron’s government is unlikely to hinder or benefit China’s “One Belt, One Road”. However, if France align with Germany in the China-EU bilateral investment and trade agreement negotiation, it may bring China disadvantage.
He Weiwen, the former Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese consulates in San Francisco and New York and CCG’s Vice President, noted that Macron’s election proves globalization is still an inevitable trend that are in most people’s interest. Even though, we should remain alerted of all the social issues as the side-effect of globalization. Next, the EU should still strive to develop a more inclusive and flexible reform plan to address those issues.
In addition, the scholars addressed media questions about the issues including EU reforms, immigration and Macron’s political agenda.
LocationBeijing
