Culture is always an important link between the two ancient civilizations of China and France, said David Lappartient, president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), urging closer cultural ties between the two countries.
Lappartient made the statement in an interview with China Central Television prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to France.
"We welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to France very much. China is a major country, and France also owns important history, culture and diplomacy. The ties between the two countries are getting closer and closer on culture and diplomacy, and I think this is really great," he said. With the Paris Olympic Games less than 100 days away, Lappartient said sports is also a form of art and the combination of art and sports is always welcome.
"Art has always been a bond and athletes themselves are artists. Their body movements in doing sports are a kind of art. Combing art and sports is always what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hopes to see," he said,
"The cultural ties between China and France are always closely connected. The 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between France and China is a chance to further strengthen the ties. Culture is always an important link between the two ancient civilizations, and I think there are much more for us to join hand and do together," he continued.
Xi will pay a state visit to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia, and President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying announced on Monday.
France's top Olympic official calls for closer cultural ties with China
The popularity of China's new energy products in the global market stems from their trailblazing innovation and market adaptation in catering to the consumer needs, rather than driven by government subsidies, which embodies the market principle of survival of the fittest, said He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, on Thursday.
Chinese companies have been assiduous in research and development in the new energy sector more than two decades. Through fierce market competition, they have formed unique advantages, He told a regular press conference, nothing that China's new energy market is fully competitive, which results in the "survival of the fittest" and the continuous emergence of high-quality enterprises and products.
With regard to industrial subsidy policies, the spokesperson said such practices originated from the West, and are widely adopted by countries all over the world.
China's industrial subsidy policies abide by the WTO rules and adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, he continued, adding that all enterprises operating in China can enjoy the same benefits.
"By contrast, the United States and Europe have significantly hiked subsidies in recent years, applying massive exclusive and discriminatory practices, and set up numerous obstacles to block Chinese products from entering relevant markets. These are typical protectionist practices in breach of the basic principles of the WTO," the spokesperson said.
He also said that China's new energy products are a contribution, rather than a threat to the world," adding that the country's high-quality new energy products have enriched the global supply, promoted the green and low-carbon process, and helped achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
It is estimated that each new energy vehicle cuts carbon emissions by around 1.66 tonnes per year. China exported 1.2 million new energy vehicles in 2023, which will help reduce carbon emissions by about two million tonnes annually.
The development of China's new energy industry has promoted the widespread application and industrialization of green, digital, artificial intelligence and other technologies, and spawned new technologies, adding new momentum of growth to the global economy.
Popularity of China's new energy products stems from trailblazing innovation, market adaptation: spokesperson
