Experts call for true multilateralism at China-France global governance forum

At a global governance forum held in Paris on Thursday, experts from China and France agreed that true multilateralism is key to global governance.

The second China-France forum on global governance takes place in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

More than 100 experts and scholars attended the second China-France forum on global governance, featuring discussions on global governance reforms and the future of multilateralism.

The forum was guided by the State Council Information Office of China and China International Communications Group (CICG), and jointly hosted by CICG's Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the China-Europe-America Global Initiative.

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Du Zhanyuan, president of CICG, said in his opening speech that as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations, the forum aims to uphold the "China-France spirit," pool more consensus and wisdom, and build a more solid and dynamic bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Du suggested both sides jointly lead global climate governance, citing a report from the International Energy Agency stating that China has become the world's largest renewable energy market and the largest manufacturer of clean energy equipment.

CICG will advance cooperation with French institutions to further friendly ties between the two peoples, helping to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, Du said.

Laurent Fabius, former prime minister of France, delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius said France and China "share certain close— even identical— visions on global governance."

He illustrated the "right path of multilateralism" with two examples: The lengthy negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, which concluded with an agreement in July 2015, and the Paris Agreement of December 2015 at the 21st UN Climate Change Conference, or COP21, over which Fabius presided.

"There is no true multilateralism without a genuine practice of compromise, which... is the opposite of weakness or irresolution," he said.

"In the realms of security, economy and environment, multilateralism emerges as the most effective path to address the majority of issues in our multipolar world. Therefore, in this 60th year of our friendship, it is useful to recall how important the common attachment of China and France to genuine multilateralism is for us and for the world." 

Wu Hailong, president of China Public Diplomacy Association, delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Wu Hailong, president of China Public Diplomacy Association, said he believes that in the process of upholding multilateralism and deepening global governance, the most urgent issue is to maintain world peace and security.

"China and France both have independent and autonomous awareness, and both sides should exclude geopolitical and ideological interference and maintain a positioning of partnership rather than adversaries," Wu said.

Zhu Min, former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Zhu Min, former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said that China and France have great potential for collaboration in the realms of nuclear power, agriculture, and digital technologies. He also called for the two countries to jointly advance financial system reforms and facilitate the establishment of a new global industrial policy framework, while jointly exploring opportunities in third-party markets.

Yi Xiaozhun, former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Yi Xiaozhun, former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), said that since China’s entry into the WTO, it has maintained close cooperation with Europe, and the two sides have voiced opposition to unilateralism and protectionism.

He said all countries should discard zero-sum Cold War mentalities, steadfastly uphold multilateralism, and embrace the historical trend of openness and cooperation. 

Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

At the closing ceremony, Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, said France and China converge on climate issues. 

Citing the two countries' joint water management in Senegal, she said, "Africa could represent a privileged geographical axis for joint action, particularly in the area of renewable energies, between France and China, and hopefully, between Europe and China."

Jiang Xiaojuan, president of China Society of Industrial Economics and a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivers a speech at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Jiang Xiaojuan, president of China Society of Industrial Economics and a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said technological innovation requires international cooperation more than ever.

"China and France are highly complementary economically and have enormous potential for cooperation. Both countries possess rich and unique cultures, providing extensive opportunities for trade, investment and a basis for people-to-people exchanges," she said.

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, speaks at the second China-France forum on global governance in Paris, France, on May 2, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Yu Yunquan, vice president of CICG and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, made a summary of the forum at the closing ceremony. He said that the rational and pragmatic discussions at this forum not only aim to promote current cooperation between China and France but also offer insights into the next 60 years of Sino-French relations. 

The participants from various sectors provide valuable recommendations for bilateral cooperation and offer strategies to advance global peace and development, Yu added.

The opening and closing ceremonies were chaired by David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative. The conference also featured three sub-forums focusing on peace construction and maintenance, technological innovation and development, and low-carbon sustainable development.