China and France share similar positions when it comes to the future world system, involving multipolarity and multilateralism, said an expert during an interview.
In the interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Jin Ling, director of China Institute of International Studies' Department for European Studies, said that China and France have expressed a shared desire for a more balanced distribution of global power.
She said this emphasis on multipolarity highlights a key area of convergence between China and France, with both countries viewing a multipolar world as beneficial to their national interests.
"I think China and France really share a lot of common positions in regard to the future world system. That is a kind of multipolarity of the world. Multipolarity doesn't mean there is no multilateralism. China has advocated for the so-called equal and orderly multipolarity. That is fundamentally in line with [what] Europe or France is calling for -- the multipolarity based on multilateralism," said Jin.
She explained the significance of strategic autonomy in China-Europe relations, as the European Union seeks a more balanced relationship with the U.S.
"I think China has made it very clear that Europe is a very unique power in the world. It is different from the U.S. and it could play a very positive role incorporating with [other] different partners to uphold the principle of UN Charter to promote multilateralism. So, that is why President Macron has also emphasized many, many times that the EU has its own way to deal with China. The EU will not be simply a follower of the U.S. [and] that I think is the spirit of so-called strategic autonomy," Jin said.
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping started his state visit on Sunday. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and is of great significance in building on the past achievements and opening up new prospects for bilateral relations.
France is Xi's first leg of his three-European country tour which will also take him to Serbia and Hungary.
China, France share common positions on multipolarity, multilateralism: expert
The bustling Xiushui Business Street (Silk Street) in Beijing is experiencing a significant surge in visits paid by international tourists, thanks to the country's implementation of visa-free policy.
The business street, known for its array of shops selling a wide range of souvenirs and gifts and a vibrant shopping atmosphere, is among the top destinations for visitors from abroad.
Since earlier this year, China has implemented a visa-free policy that exempts many European ordinary passport holders from the time-consuming and costly obligation, encouraging travelers from nearly a dozen European countries to explore this Asian country. It allows ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to enter and stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, transit, as well as visiting relatives and friends .
Against such a backdrop, the business street, with a spike in international tourist arrivals, has offered popular options with distinctive Beijing features to foreign visitors.
"From January to April this year, the combined number of overseas tourists we received was expected to increase by nearly 20 times from the previous year. We've selected a batch of souvenirs that can represent Beijing for our customers, so as to make each and every of them happy," said Dong Qing, an employee of the business street.
Ibeku hailing from Nigeria was on a business trip to Beijing. She came to the business street to tailor a suit of Nigerian traditional costume with Chinese silk.
"First of all, I love fashion. So if we have Chinese silk [and] Nigerian style [together], that's like a mix of cultures, and that's what we are all hoping to get this day," she said.
Taking into account the tight schedule of foreign customers, many merchants reduce the time it takes to craft bespoke garments from the traditional four to five days down to an impressive 18 hours.
Furthermore, they also provide global mailing services for international customers who express concern about limited luggage space or tight travel schedules.
According to data released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the capital city received 469,000 inbound tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, up by 3.1 times year on year, and the foreign exchange income of tourism is 650 million U.S. dollars, a year-on-year growth of 225.8 percent.
Xiushui Business Street thrives with influx of foreign tourists under visa-free policy
