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China-France relations

China-France relations
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China-France relations. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi (right) shakes hands with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, in Beijing on May 8, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
Taiwan

Beijing urges France to respect one-China principle during high-level talks

Top diplomat Wang Yi tells visiting French senior adviser the countries should strengthen a partnership ‘free from external interference’.

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China-EU relations

Tall story? Sophie la Girafe, France’s national toy, revealed to be Chinese-made

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France

Macron touches Beijing’s nerves on Taiwan and Tibet as he heads for the exit

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US, Israel war on Iran

China decries ‘unjust war’ on Iran as it calls for immediate ceasefire

In a call with Paris, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi urges mediation efforts and an end to the spread of the conflict.

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A woman stands near the grave of her son at a cemetery in Tehran on Monday. Her son was killed during recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Farewell to the ‘unipolar moment’: Europe scrambles for footing between US and China

French and German foreign ministers revive talks with Beijing counterpart to respond to US-China divide-and-rule tactics and bolster European unity.

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China consumption

Time on happy hour as French wine and spirit sales sour in mainland China, US

French alcohol exports to mainland China and the US dropped by 19.5 and 21 per cent in 2025 as tariffs stifled global trade.

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China-EU relations

EU ‘mega tariff’: French minister urges caution amid calls for 30% China duty

Finance minister distances himself from French government agency’s proposal for blanket EU tariffs on China to stop ‘destruction’ of local industry.

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French Finance Minister Roland Lescure gives a speech in Paris on February 3. Lescure has distanced himself from proposals for a blanket 30 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports. Photo: AFP
United States

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

Middle powers are pivoting to Beijing and hedging with new partners as China’s economic displacement of the US rapidly expands.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Macron urges Europe to hit back against Trump’s threats

French president advocates use of the EU’s anti-coercion mechanism against US tariffs, as he warns of moving ‘towards a world without rules’.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

China’s He Lifeng warns of ‘law of the jungle’, blasts protectionism, at Davos

Amid escalating transatlantic rifts fuelled by Donald Trump, vice-premier urges global cooperation, free trade and dialogue, pledging to boost imports and open China’s market.

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Vice-Premier He Lifeng delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Will Trump’s threats to Greenland help bring China and Europe closer together?

The US president has said control of the Danish territory is a national security issue, causing increased alarm among Copenhagen’s allies.

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Donald Trump has said the US needs Greenland “right now”. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

Why Air France-KLM remains bullish on China-Europe travel market despite hurdles

Chinese travellers drive leisure and business bookings as airline eyes long-term growth despite Russian airspace restrictions.

China consumption

Wild goose chase? France works to rouse China’s appetite for foie gras imports

French producers hope their famed pate can win a slice of China’s market, but price sensitivities and domestic competition could mean their goose is cooked.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | Why China-France ties are blossoming in an era of global uncertainty

As Paris pursues strategic autonomy and Beijing seeks national rejuvenation, both powers are poised to reimagine a new global order.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping visit the Unesco-listed Dujiangyan site in Sichuan province on December 5. Given that Chinese presidents rarely take foreign leaders to the provinces, Macron’s visit to southwestern China is clearly a special gesture. Photo: Pool/Reuters
China-EU relations

Opinion | How France and China offer an alternative to zero-sum diplomacy

As the countries stake their relationship on sustainability and hi-tech cooperation, they are building a new template for bilateral ties.

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French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan gaze at the Dujiangyan irrigation system, a Unesco World Heritage site in Sichuan province on December 5. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Opinion | In reaching out to China, European states can’t keep acting alone

The idea of an autonomous bloc engaging Beijing from a position of strength and independence collapses when its toothless leaders visit.

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China-EU relations

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

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China-EU investment deal

France poised to get 2 giant pandas in 2027 after Macron’s visit to China

New decade-long loan agreement involving the soft-power ambassadors struck as countries’ leaders seek to boost Sino-French exchanges.

Giant panda Yuan Meng was born in France and now lives in Chengdu. The new 10-year loan agreement will send two giant pandas from China to France in 2027. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

China and France agree to work together on nuclear issues as Macron visit ends

The two sides express support for non-proliferation and efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine and Gaza.

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China-EU relations

Macron bypasses EU in bid to boost France-China ties

French President Emmanuel Macron left Ursula von der Leyen in Europe, as European leaders sidestep the EU and seek to boost bilateral ties with China.

France

China and France should ‘understand and support each other’, Xi tells Macron

The pair meet in Beijing for ‘candid and fruitful’ talks followed by the signing of 12 deals covering everything from nuclear power to pandas.

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Presidents Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron at a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Macron begins China visit with EU trade ties and Ukraine war high on the agenda

The French president lands in Beijing on the first leg of a tour where he is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomes France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte to Beijing. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Explainer | From pandas to nuclear power: what Macron wants from his trip to China

The French president is coming to Beijing with a large delegation looking to do business. Here are the key areas to watch for potential deals.

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Diplomacy

Editorial | Macron faces a tough but necessary balancing act as he visits China

While trade disagreements have hampered ties between Beijing and Paris, Macron’s trip is important for the development of economic and political ties.

China-EU relations

Macron wants ties based on Europe being ‘a major partner of China’, source says

French president aims to establish framework for relations ‘that serves mutual interests’ during China trip, according to Elysee source.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in China next week. Photo: EPA-EFE
China-EU relations

EU’s von der Leyen won’t go to China with French President Macron

The absence of an EU leader from talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping would represent a break with recent tradition.

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French President Emmanuel Macron (left) will be heading to China without European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

France’s Emmanuel Macron to meet Xi Jinping during China trip next week

French president will meet his Chinese counterpart as part of a three-day visit from December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu.

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China-EU relations

Europe refuses to be tech ‘vassal’ of China and US, France’s Macron says

The French leader made a push for prioritising domestic players in the sector to counter ‘Chinese exclusivity’ and ‘American preference’.

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