French President Emmanuel Macron is set to embark on his fourth state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday, in a reciprocal trip following Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic state visit to France last year when the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

During the upcoming visit, Xi will hold talks with Macron to jointly guide the development of the bilateral relationship under new circumstances and have in-depth exchange of views on major international and regional hotspot issues. Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji will have separate meetings with the French president.

Through the visit, China hopes that the two sides can make new progress in their comprehensive strategic partnership, promote the sound and steady development of China-European Union relations, and contribute more to multilateralism and a peaceful, stable and prosperous world, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday.

The special relationship

France holds a distinct historical position in China's diplomacy: it was the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with the People's Republic of China during the Cold War.

This pioneering role continued when former French President Georges Pompidou became the first Western head of state to visit the new China, and France became the first Western nation to host an official visit from a leader of the new China.

At a welcoming banquet during his 2024 visit to France, Xi toasted the special relationship, noting that Beijing and Paris are special friends, and the China-France relationship is a special one among the world's major countries.

In a video speech to a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in January 2024, Xi highlighted the "China-France spirit" defined by independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and shaped by the unique history of bilateral relations.

Trade and economic ties

China is now France's largest trading partner in Asia, while France ranks as China's third-largest trading partner within the EU. Over more than six decades, the two countries have built mutually beneficial and highly fruitful bilateral economic and trade partnerships.

A case in point is the establishment of the "From French Farm to Chinese Table" initiative – a whole-chain rapid coordination mechanism designed to streamline and boost the trade of French agricultural and food products to the Chinese market. It was first proposed by Xi during his talks with Macon during the French president's last state visit to China in April 2023.

China and France are now committed to sustaining deep cooperation in established key sectors such as nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace, while expanding into emerging fields like artificial intelligence, green energy, biotechnology and the elderly care economy.

Cumulative bilateral investment has surpassed $28 billion, with over 2,000 French companies operating in China, while China's investment stock in France stands at approximately $5 billion, creating close to 60,000 jobs, notes Deng Li, the Chinese ambassador to France.

In a signed article published at the end of October, Deng also urged a thorough understanding of China-EU trade dynamics. "While China maintains a trade surplus with the EU, it is important to note that nearly 40 percent of the goods exported by EU companies in China are sold back to the EU. It is safe to say the trade surplus rests with the Chinese side, but the profits are reaped by the EU."

Wang Yanhang, a senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, noted China and France have recently successfully resolved trade disputes, such as those concerning brandy, through friendly consultation.

This ability to properly resolve bilateral economic and trade issues through friendly consultation, especially when the overall China-EU relationship faces headwinds and challenges, demonstrates a strong China-France coordination built on mutual trust, Wang wrote. "This coordination, in turn, brings an open and inclusive force to the wider region."

Safeguarding outcomes of WWII victory

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China has long emphasized the need for both countries to work together and shoulder their shared responsibilities.

In a phone call with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, last Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China's position on the Taiwan question.

Noting that provocative remarks on Taiwan by the incumbent Japanese leader are blatantly turning back the wheel of history and infringe on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang Yi said China and France need to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests.

Wang Yi expressed the hope that France will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle.

Bonne said France upholds the tradition of an independent foreign policy, firmly adheres to the one-China policy and understands China's legitimate position on the Taiwan question.

Wang Yanhang, the senior research fellow, highlighted the shared history of China and France during WWII, noting that both countries belonged to the righteous and victorious side of the World Anti-Fascist War.

He argued that France's continued adherence to its one-China policy and its working with China to jointly uphold the authority of the UN demonstrates a commitment to justice that fosters a force for unity.

Read more:

Why Taiwan's return to China is part of the post-WWII global order?

For multilateralism

Analysts have pointed to the alignment between China's support of multilateralism in global governance and France's push for the "strategic autonomy" for the EU in a multipolar world.

On issues such as climate change, both countries recognize the importance of multilateral frameworks. Marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement in March, China and France issued a joint statement reiterating their strong commitment to enhancing international cooperation and upholding multilateralism in global climate governance.

At the 27th China-France Strategic Dialogue in October, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi said that China-France relations have seen increasingly close multilateral coordination over the past year, and that China is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination and mutual support with France within the UN framework.

Marianne Dunlop, a French sinologist and a co-author of a new book that argues for a multipolar international order, said France is in a position to adopt a constructive China policy, potentially influencing the broader EU approach to China.

"France has assets that should enable it to adopt a sensible and constructive policy and relations with China, and from there, perhaps bring the EU along with it," Dunlop told CGTN last month.

Senior researcher Wang Yanhang stressed the growing importance of China and France acting together as forces for stability, openness, inclusiveness and unity.

According to him, given the current geopolitical landscape – marked by the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, and the intensification of regional conflicts and geopolitical rivalries – the multilateral value of these four forces is becoming increasingly prominent on the world stage.