Payoshi Bisht, Pune
President Xi Jinping announced his plans to strengthen the bilateral relations between China and France on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Xi laid great importance on the decision and stated that, “As today’s world is once again at a critical crossroads; China and France should jointly open up a path of peace, security, prosperity and progress for human development.” As per the official media report, Xi considers this as a chance to support essential principles, pioneer innovation, enhance previous successes, pave the way for a fresh future, and strengthen the solidity and dynamism of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France.
To further strengthen the argument, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that, “We will continue to unleash consumer and investment market demand, and continue to expand the import of high-quality products and services from France”, as per the statement recorded.
Previously, the French president was also present for the 75th Republic Day celebrations held in New Delhi, India on 26th of January this year. He was the sixth leader from France to be invited as the chief guest for the celebrations. In the course of Macron’s visit to India, the two nations revealed an ambitious plan for defence collaboration, along with an increased focus on enhancing cooperation in the strategically vital Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region which is an area of concern for China.
Emmanual Macron spoke about the defence deal with India and emphasised on the fact that a collaboration in defence and security is a crucial aspect of the India-France relationship. This encompasses various joint efforts on bilateral, multinational, regional, and institutional levels, with a particular focus on initiatives in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.
The deepening relations between India and France has caught the attention of China, particularly as it seeks to expand its influence over the Indian region. Beijing closely monitored Macron’s recent visit to India, observing France becoming a crucial defence ally for India. The United States, India, and various global powers have been engaged in conversations regarding the importance of establishing a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, given China’s increasing military activities in resource-abundant areas.