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Days after French President Emmanuel Macron’s high-profile visit to India, Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced to boost China-France ties. Jinping has said, “China and France should jointly open up a path of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for human development”.
India, France to strengthen defence ties
On the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, Chinese President Xi offered to “break new ground” to give a fillip to bilateral ties between the two countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said they have offered to step up French imports to the country.
“We will continue to unleash consumer and investment market demand, and continue to expand the import of high-quality products and services from France,” Wang Yi said.
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The Chinese foreign minister hoped that France too would provide Chinese companies with a fair, just, and predictable business environment.
China prioritises ties with France as Macron is pushing Europe to become a third bloc, a balancing force between the US and China.
Last week only French President Emmanuel Macron was invited as the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.
During Macron’s high-profile visit to India, the two countries unveiled an ambitious defence roadmap besides intensifying cooperation in the strategic Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region.
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The intensification of India-France cooperation in the Indian Ocean concerns China as it tries to make forays in India’s backyard.
Beijing kept a wary watch on Macron’s visit to India as Paris is emerging as a key defence partner to New Delhi amid efforts by the US and European Union to court India as a counterweight to counter China.
The US, India, and several other world powers have been discussing the need to ensure a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.
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Published: 29 Jan 2024, 07:41 AM IST
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