Political luminaries, business reps meet for China-France investment dialogue

China

Political luminaries, business reps meet for China-France investment dialogue

2025-07-03 17:07 Last Updated At：07-04 11:07

The 11th China-France Investment Dialogue, one of a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), was held in Paris on Monday.

Prominent political figures and representatives from French and Chinese companies discussed economic opportunities and shared challenges in an era of geopolitical uncertainty.

"The reality of a win-win bilateral relationship is our collective duty. It is clear that Europe and China need each other in this dangerous, tense world -- where today, the U.S. president is creating dangerous unpredictability. We need cooperation between Europe and China," said Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French Prime Minister.

Former French Minister of Foreign Affairs Hubert Vedrine stressed the need for Europe and China to face the realities of the current global context together, and said France had an important role to play because of its long-standing relationship with China.

"How should we manage relations with China, a colossal emerging power? Europeans are divided: some argue for protecting themselves from China, while others advocate full cooperation. There will undoubtedly be tough moments, but this is where the extraordinary, unique long-standing friendship between France and China should play a major role -- bilaterally and even in shaping a wise European compromise," he said.

Former French Minister of Health Olivier Veran said the health sector was an important area of cooperation between China and Europe.

"China has made a striking entry into health innovation, particularly in biotechnology, where it now files more patents and develops more new cancer drugs than Europe -- something unthinkable just a few years ago. This makes China a serious, solid long-term partner in innovation, and AI mechanisms have only strengthened China's position. We must create ways to cooperate, understand each other, and build trust in health innovation between Europeans and Chinese," he said.

Marc-Antoine Jamet, Secretary General of LVMH, highlighted the success of the Louis Vuitton "ship" in Shanghai which opened on June 28.

The "ship", a part of Louis Vuitton's groundbreaking three-story flagship store in downtown Shanghai, blends luxury retail with cultural experiences and dining.

"Shanghai is like New York, Shanghai is like Paris -- a city everyone knows. So, it was fitting for this ship to arrive and anchor at the heart of Shanghai. I have an aerial photo of People's Square, and you can see the ship more clearly than the Shanghai Opera House. It's extraordinary -- from the sky. It's also a way to show our Chinese friends that we trust them, that we're here, that they are loyal and we are loyal. Innovation will come, we truly believe in Chinese consumption, in our Chinese clients, and that everything will continue," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.