Quelle Surprise! The communique that changed the world

It took just 45 Chinese characters to change the course of history. On January 27, 1964 China and France released a communique that announced the establishment of formal diplomatic relations.‌

France thus became the first western nation to normalize relations with Beijing during the height of the Cold War.

"It came as a surprise, even to French ministers. The decision was described as bold," said Yvans Daniel, co-author of France - China: Cultural and linguistic exchanges. History, issues and prospects.

"Then-president Charles de Gaulle said that it seemed abnormal to him not to maintain relations with the most populous country in the world, one of the countries destined to carry a great deal of weight."

It would take another decade before France's western peers like Germany, Spain and the United States followed suit. During that time ties between Beijing and Paris deepened and expanded.

‌President Georges Pompidou became the first European leader to visit China in 1973, a visit returned by Deng Xiaoping two years later. It was the first official visit by a Chinese leader to a major western country. But Deng already had a deep connection to France. He lived and worked in the country as a young man.

‌"France had a kind of special place in the Chinese imagination," said James Carter, Professor of History and Interim Provost at Saint Joseph's University. "Deng joined the Communist Party in France for the first time. There's a very direct, direct relationship between the growth of Chinese nationalism and Chinese communism and France."

‌China is now France's third largest trading partner. Bilateral trade topped $108 billion in 2022, according to French official figures.

‌The nations are also key allies in nuclear energy cooperation, aeronautics and fighting global challenges like climate change.

‌"These relations have had their ups and downs," said Daniels. "There have been a few bad moments, depending on the period, but in the end I think the two partners have always tried to be as pragmatic and effective as possible in finding areas of convergence and collaboration."

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During President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the relationship at a time when the world is undergoing "profound historical changes."

‌"As the main promoters of globalisation and international relations, we are capable and responsible to go beyond differences and trammels, uphold stability, mutual-benefits and to carry out an upward Sino-France comprehensive strategic relation," President Xi said.

‌People-to-people exchanges at the heart of Sino-French relations

The partnership goes far beyond economics and policy. Roughly 30,000 Chinese students study in France every year, while French students are learning Mandarin in school.

France is also a popular destination for Chinese tourists. Before the pandemic, more than 2 million visited the country, adding nearly $4 billion to the economy. And while the return of Chinese tourism has been slower than expected post-pandemic, both sides are hoping to change that this year.

2024 has been dedicated as the official China-France Year of Cultural Tourism. Dozens of events are planned throughout the year to increase tourist footfall in both countries, including a concert at France's most famous Palace - Versailles.

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