80 percent of French respondents affirm China's global influence: CGTN poll

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Over 80 percent of the French respondents to a new poll believe China is a great and influential country, and 70.3 percent regard China as a successful country, according to the poll results published on Thursday.

The survey of 1,513 French respondents was conducted by China Global Television Network of the China Media Group and Renmin University of China through the New Era International Communication Research Institute ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled state visit to France.

The French respondents to the survey affirmed the achievements of China's high-quality economic development and high-level opening up.

A total of 91.5 percent of the respondents said they appreciate China's strong economic strength, including 95.9 percent of those aged 18 to 24 and 97.2 percent of those with high incomes.

In addition, 89.8 percent of the respondents said they believe China's economy is growing fast, and 72.7 percent agreed that China has made outstanding contribution to the world economy. Some 88.8 percent said China is strong in science and technology, a view which 89.3 percent and 89.4 percent of those aged 45 to 54 and over 55, respectively, agreed with.

A further 76.8 percent of the respondents recognized China's efforts in scientific and technological innovation in recent years. Some 71.4 percent of of the respondents said China's rapid rise in science and technology has injected new impetus into global innovation in science and technology.

In the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, trade between the two countries has increased by more than 800 times.

France is now China's third-largest trading partner and third-largest source of actual investment in the European Union, and China is France's top trading partner in Asia and seventh-largest in the world. Furthermore, France will be the guest of honor at this year's China International Fair for Trade in Services and the Seventh China International Import Expo.

In the survey, 86.2 percent of the respondents said they believe that Chinese enterprises have a great influence in the international market, and 66.2 percent of them said China's business environment is attractive to investors.

Another 56.7 percent said China is crucial to the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and 58.8 percent of the respondents agreed that the huge scale of the Chinese market offers broad development opportunities for French companies.

In addition, 65.8 percent of the respondents aged 18-24 agreed that France should participate in international cooperation projects promoted by China.

"The unique history of China-France relations has shaped the unique 'China-France spirit'," Xi said a video speech to a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that "there is so much for us to do together," which indicates the enduring importance of China-France relations.

A total of 76.7 percent of the respondents believe that China is a strategically independent country, and that China has pursued an independent foreign policy. Some 75.3 percent of the respondents aged 18-24 said China is a responsible country and added that they expect China to play a greater role in the process of global governance.

More than seven in every 10 of the respondents (71.7 percent) said they believe that the China-France relationship is one of the most important in the world, while 61.6 percent said they were optimistic about future developments and expected the two sides to further strengthen cooperation on economy and trade, science and technology, and geopolitical issues.

In addition, as many as 65.1 percent said close cooperation between China and France in international affairs is conducive to promoting world peace and development.

The European Parliament has defined China as a "competitor" and "institutional rival" of the European Union. However, only 18.5 percent of the respondents said differences between China and France outweigh common interests, and the proportion of the respondents who said they believe that "common interests outweigh differences" between China and France was twice the size of that claiming "differences outweigh common interests."

In the survey, 82.4 percent of the respondents said they have been exposed to Chinese cultural products to some extent. In addition, 62.7 percent said they are looking forward to traveling to China, with natural scenery (69 percent), Chinese cuisine (63.1 percent) and history and culture (61.6 percent) being the most interesting items to them.

The survey used a sampling quota design based on the age distribution of the French census. The survey content includes several parts, including the overall perception of China's national image, the concrete perception of China's national policies, the perception of China-France relations and the perception of China-Europe relations.

80 percent of French respondents affirm China's global influence: CGTN poll

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a restrictive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, during which they had in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern.

The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century and entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi noted, adding that in the face of the ever-evolving world landscape with volatility and turmoil, China has maintained its strategic resolve.

He said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have overcome various difficulties and challenges, and are striving to promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization.

China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to enhance solidarity and cooperation, steer global governance in the right direction, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development, Xi said.

Noting that China's development is unstoppable and that no force can contain China's growth and progress, Putin said that Russia is willing to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice, and to work toward a more equal and multipolar world.

The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis.

Xi elaborated on China's consistent position and efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, stressing that to deal with any major issue, it is necessary to address both the symptoms and the root causes, and to plan for the present as well as for the long term.

He said the core of the Global Security Initiative is advocating the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and the fundamental solution to the Ukraine issue is to promote the establishment of a new balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.

Xi said China supports the convening of an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine at an appropriate time with equal participation and fair discussion of all options, so as to push for an early political settlement of the Ukraine issue, and China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in this regard.

Putin introduced the relevant views and positions of Russia, saying that Russia appreciates China's objective, just and balanced position on the Ukraine issue and welcomes China to continue to play an important and constructive role in the political settlement of the issue. Russia is committed to resolving the Ukraine issue through political negotiations and is willing to demonstrate sincerity and maintain close communication with China in this regard, he said.

Xi said that over the years, they have had many meetings and every exchange has been candid, in-depth and fruitful.

Xi said he is ready to stay in close contact with President Putin and work together to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction, guide the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era to achieve steady and lasting progress, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to world security and stability.

Putin thanked Xi for his warm hospitality, saying that he is willing to maintain close communication with Xi, implement the important consensus reached between them, and ensure the full development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai

Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai