China, France to build rules
Macron recognizes China’s role in globalization
French President Emmanuel Macron said he recognizes China’s role in globalization and expects France to build new rules together with China for global trade, as he wrapped up his fruitful three-day visit in China.
A more transparent and favorable cooperation mechanism should be established for Europe, France and China, Macron noted. He supports a pragmatic approach to France’s strategic partnership with China.
“We tell the truth without unnecessary provocation,” Macron said.
Angela Merkel’s uncertain future in Germany has created a vacuum in European leadership, and Brexit has marginalized the UK, which prompted Macron to strengthen ties with China, Wang Yiwei, director of Renmin University of China’s Institute of International Affairs, told the Global Times.
“Those factors are likely to help France gain a leading role in Europe-China affairs,” Wang said. During his visit to China, Macron witnessed the signing of deals covering aviation, energy, agriculture, culture, education
sub-regional cooperation mechanism and discuss the future of cooperation, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang.
The LMC is a supplement to the China-ASEAN relationship, Xu said. “Compared to Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, China’s current cooperation with Vietnam and Myanmar face some challenges, but pragmatic cooperation is the common ground shared by all participants.”
Initiated by China in 2014, the LMC mechanism focuses on five priority areas of cooperation: connectivity, production capacity, crossborder economic cooperation, water resource management, as well as agriculture and poverty reduction, Xinhua reported.
The Lancang River originates on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Southwest China. It is called the Mekong River as it runs through the other five LMC countries before flowing into the sea.
China-Cambodia relationship
As China and Cambodia this year celebrate the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, Li will meet with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, and hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
Cambodia’s relationship with China is unique, and China treats its neighbor as an old friend, said Zhuang Guotu, head of Xiamen University’s Southeast Asian Studies Center.
“Cambodia stands together with China in the international arena,” Zhuang said. “China will firmly support this friend to realize its economic development, which could set a positive example for the region and China-ASEAN relations.”
Some Western media have recently criticized China for supporting Cambodia’s “nondemocratic” government, suggesting China is breaking a promise not to export its political system.
“The West is using the same excuses and playing the same old tricks on our neighbors again. Many ASEAN members that used to stand with the West are changing their minds and strengthening ties with China, including the Philippines, Myanmar and Thailand,” Zhuang told the Global Times.
“They have chosen their own development paths voluntarily because they have already learned lessons from believing in Western lies, and they now realize who their real partner is. China critics are nervous and helpless at the moment,” Zhuang added.
Xu said that China did not force anyone to accept its political system nor is it actively selling its ideas on governance.
Other countries want to learn from China and the West needs to be clear; China has not broken its promise. “We are just providing an alternative to Western democracy.”
“The critics show that the West is jealous because its influence in the region is waning,” Xu added.