French support for Silk Road initiatives

After the move by Paris, it is likely many of its neighbors also will sign on to Beijing's agenda

Countries in Western Europe are doing two things right now that can help put global development on a fairer track.

Several weeks ago, the British government took the lead in supporting the Beijing-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, prompting all other Western European powers, except Belgium, to follow suit.

Now, ahead of Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to France, and President Xi Jinping's possible participation in the United Nations climate summit in Paris at the end of this year, France intends to become the first country in Western Europe to back China's proposals to establish a modern Silk Road.

Many of France's neighbors, which compared with Central and Eastern European nations have refrained from endorsing Beijing's agenda, may now follow hot on the heels of Elysee Palace.

This all stands in stark contrast to Washington's recent upgrade to its containment measures against Beijing, of course, giving the cold shoulder to any new ideas.

France's signal of support came from Laurent Fabius, who served as prime minister between 1984 and 1986 and is now foreign minister. On June 12, he made an eloquent speech at a forum about China's Belt and Road Initiative organized by the French Regional Council of Haute-Normandy.

As foreign minister, he said he had just wrapped up his 10th visit to China, adding that the frequency of his visits was higher than to the US, indicating the importance his country has attached to China.

Zhai Jun, the Chinese ambassador to France, responded by saying he was jealous that the 69-year-old Frenchman gets to visit Beijing more often than he does.

In a historical and global context, France has no reason to ignore the rise of China, which has been "writing the new chapters of world history", Fabius said in his speech.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative, which refers to the proposed Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, indicates that China is actively taking global responsibility.

Therefore, from a strategic point of view, France must endorse and participate in the new Silk Road proposals to make sure it is a "Sino-French Road", he said.

Xi has turned a new page in China's opening-up and reform, Fabius said, and France cannot afford to lose the opportunity to back the country's initiative. He also admitted that France had not responded well enough to embrace the development opportunities offered by China.

The minister's understanding of the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative has gained applause.

Chi Fulin, a scholar and adviser to China's leadership, hailed Fabius as the first top foreign diplomat to elaborate "clearly, solidly and comprehensively" on Xi's proposals.

Showing his earnestness to engage with Chinese businesses, Fabius also stayed to listen to other speakers at the forum throughout the morning and during lunchtime.

The foreign minister is a native of Normandy, an area rich in tourism and commercial resources, and he said the area will benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative and by seizing the opportunity for exponential growth in Chinese investment and tourism.

The number of Chinese tourists to France is expected to increase from two million to five million in the next three years, and Fabius said the benefits of the initiative can go beyond tourism.

The routes proposed as part of the initiative are much longer than the ancient Silk Road used by merchants 2,000 years ago, and Fabius said they could have an effect on far more than just trade.

He said France had played a constructive role in the 50 years since Charles de Gaulle took courageous steps with Chinese leaders to establish a diplomatic relationship.

Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, as well as other European powers, all enjoy solid strategic partnerships with China. So, after France, we can expect they will also be publicly announcing their endorsement of the Belt and Road Initiative soon.

The author is China Daily chief correspondent in Brussels. Contact the writer at fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 06/19/2015 page11)