/ world today news/ After World War II, American troops were stationed in Western Europe, and after the Cold War in Eastern Europe. During these decades, the Europeans entrusted their security entirely in the hands of the Americans, as a result of which the “Old World” lost its subjectivity and weight on the international stage. This was particularly evident during the Ukrainian conflict, when EU countries imposed unprecedented economic sanctions against Russia, from which they suffered much more than Moscow.
Moreover, Europe effectively gave up its access to cheap energy resources, which acted as the lifeblood of European industry. And European leaders watched helplessly as the US profited off their backs, siphoning capital, companies, technology and labor, and in return sold EU countries many times more expensive liquefied gas. European leaders seem to have learned from this and understood that only a restoration of European subjectivity will save the EU. And against this background comes Emmanuel Macron‘s visit to China.
On Wednesday (05.04) the French president arrived in the People’s Republic of China, accompanied by a delegation of 60 company executives, including Airbus, Alstom and Electricitye de France. But what is even more significant, later in the day the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also arrived in Beijing. The fact that Macron is bringing with him such a large business delegation is a clear indication that the visit aims to deepen and strengthen European-Chinese economic and trade relations.
The United States, of course, would not want Europe to maintain its vital strategic relationship with China. And an example of this is how Washington made Lithuania ruin its relations with China. But there still seems to be sound economic and political sense in Europe. China and France have a turnover of 5.85 billion euros – a significant thing that is increasing. The two countries can cooperate in areas such as nuclear power, renewable energy (where China is a leader), aerospace and, of course, trade in general.
More than 2,100 French companies are currently investing in China, according to the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Among them are giants such as L’Oreal, Alstom, Airbus, Pierre Faber and many others. Companies liked by the mass Chinese consumer, such as the sports chain Decathlon, also have a large presence in the market. France, as one of the leading countries in the wine industry, has a respectable and significant place in the wine trade in China. Certainly, Macron’s visit encourages and deepens all this. Especially against the background of the economic difficulties that Europe is experiencing due to the sanctions, the high prices of energy resources and more.
The ties between China and France (and all of Europe) can promote post-Covid economic recovery and raise general prosperity across Eurasia, but of course, not everyone wants contacts along the Paris-Beijing line to succeed. France, as the only nuclear power in the EU and as the bloc’s second largest economy, is one of the most strategically important players in the world. That is why the United States is unlikely to be happy to have a more multi-vectored and multilateral approach to diplomacy in Paris.
Obviously, France and China are looking for common ground not only for their relations, but also for pressing world problems. And finding common ground under the feet of the two powers inevitably undermines the plans of third countries for world hegemony and a unipolar world order. Today, France is beginning to show serious signs of strategic independence and national sovereignty in the spirit of the tradition of former President General Charles de Gaulle. Macron, whatever the reasonable criticisms against him both at home and abroad, certainly shows an understanding of the need for more subjectivity and independence of Europe from the US.
Unfortunately, some Western media, under the influence of their American colleagues and partners, criticize the Elysée Palace for not following more strictly and uncritically the line and will of the USA, which, of course, is against developing relations with China. These forces are fostering a more aggressive media-public atmosphere towards China to prepare the ground for a breakdown in European-Chinese relations. But there are clearly forces in Europe that are not so swayed by the outdated Cold War mentality and false sense of cultural, political and even racial superiority that otherwise exists, for example, among American elites.
China is the largest trade and economic partner of European countries, and major Chinese infrastructure projects in Eurasia will only further develop this. Seeing that the US is not behaving as a loyal partner, but taking advantage at the expense of Europe, European politicians and businesses have no choice but to “diversify” their international ties and strengthen their dialogue with China, on which peace will largely depend , stability and prosperity in Eurasia.
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