Delegation of CAIFC Visits France

From July 1st to 9th, Vice Chairman Deng Rong led the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC) to pay a friendly visit to France. The delegation visited such cities as Paris, Marseille and Provence and met with and visited previous president of France Mrs. Jacques Chirac, Bernadette Jacques Chirac, Foreign minister Kouchner, Wife of Foreign minister Ockrent (President of France Overseas TV Group, famous journalist, writer and vice president of World Women Forum), Minister of Culture Abanair, State Secretary of the European Affairs Jouyet, previous chairman of senate Jacques Monory, previous minister Breton of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment, president of Music Festival of Provence the Rogges, President of BioMerieux Pharmaceutical Group, the Merieuxes, President of board of directors of Renault Company George Schweitzer and President of Hennessy Group Pei Yong.

When meeting with Mrs. Jacques Chirac, Vice Chairman Deng Rong pointed out “France is the first western power establishing diplomatic relations with New China and France and China established the comprehensive strategic partnership during the terms of office of President Jacques Chirac with the common efforts of governments and people of the two countries. However, unfortunately, due to the so-called ‘Tibetan sovereignty debate’ and ‘Olympic Games Problems’, such traditional friendly relations encounter difficulty recently and, in fact, the people of China and France are unwilling to come to this situation”. Mrs. Jacques Chirac expressed “such problems will not last long and the friendly relations between China and France will remain”.

France Secretary of State the Kouchners paid great importance to this meeting with Vice Chairman Deng Rong and personally received the delegation. During the meeting, Vice Chairman Deng Rong pointed out “China-France relations are quite crucial and harmonious China-France relations established by President de Gaulle and previous leaders of China are well worth treasuring”. Kouchner said he attached great importance to China-France relations. Despite some problems in China-France relations, he would visit China with President Sarkozy and he strongly expected for such visit.

When Minister of Culture Abanair, and president of Music Festival of Provence the Rogges met with the delegation, they proposed that the culture and music can bridge the spirits of people most. Both French Civilization and Chinese Civilization were the wonders of world civilization and formed through a long history. They hoped the exchanges between the Beijing Music Festival and Provence Music Festival would help to further arouse the passion of the people in China and France for each other’s civilization, bring the relation of two countries closer and deepen the mutual understanding.

This visit enhancing the understanding and trust between CAIFC and France

Vice Chairman Deng Rong cordially talking with previous France president Mrs. Jacques Chirac

Vice Chairman Deng Rong meeting with the France Secretary of State the Kouchners

Vice Chairman Deng Rong cordially talking with President of Hennessy Group Pei Yong