China, France enjoy even closer economic, trade ties in recent years

China and France are enjoying even closer economic and trade ties in recent years which are in essence complimentary and mutually beneficial.

Currently, France ranks as China's third-largest trading partner and the third-largest source of investment in real terms within the European Union, while China is now France's largest trading partner in Asia. French direct investment in China in the first two months of this year surged 585.8 percent year-on-year.

"Two decades ago, the French companies which came to China to grow their businesses were primarily from the wine, distribution, energy and textile industries. But now, more enterprises from high-tech sectors with advanced technologies are coming to China, such as biotech, healthcare, AI, robot and automobiles," said a French businessman in China.

From science and technology to daily products, the nature of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes has driven China-France cooperation towards a broader scope, with services trade, digitization and green transformation emerging as the new cooperation sectors between the two countries.

"As long as China and France, and China and Europe take economic development as a priority and put more emphasis on the balance between development and security, both sides will create larger cooperation space for each other," said Cui Hongjian, director of the Center of European Union and Regional Development Studies with Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France 60 years ago, the cultural exchanges between the two sides have become more frequent. During last year's Croisements Festival, more than 65 cultural activities were held in over 20 cities across China, while more than 150 events on Chinese history, traditional culture and natural scenery, among others, were held by the China Cultural Center in Paris.

"China and France are moving towards the same direction in terms of cultural exchanges which are showing a strong momentum. This will surely lay a more solid public opinion foundation for the development of bilateral relations," Cui said.

China, France enjoy even closer economic, trade ties in recent years

The Central Asia Park was opened on Sunday in the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an one year after the first China-Central Asia Summit, to showcase the strengthening of regional cooperation.

The park is located near the Xi'an International Exhibition Center, one of the venues for the 2023 China-Central Asia Summit. Sculptures of horses and camel caravans decorate the approximately 53-hectare park, symbolizing the prosperous exchanges over centuries and the beautiful vision of joint development between China and Central Asian countries.

The building at the main entrance of the park is called "Silk Road Meeting Room" and displays gifts from Central Asian countries, including traditional costumes from Kazakhstan and sculptures of "bow shooting" from Kyrgyzstan.

Visitors can buy specialties including snacks and honey from Central Asian countries in the park's shop.

Xi'an is a historical city founded about 3,100 years ago. Formerly known as Chang'an, it is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, which saw flourishing interactions between China and Central Asia.

The China-Central Asia Summit, held in the city in May 2023, was the first summit held offline by the leaders of the six countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian states 31 years ago.

Central Asia Park opens in northwest China, highlighting regional cooperation