French Presidents' China complex

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 10, 2004

French Presidents' China complex

France, as a first western country to establish diplomatic relations with New China, has a deep-rooted background in history and a traditional friendship with China. More interestingly, every president of the Republic of France, from General de Gaulle to Chirac, has a "China Complex" of which, many have become relishing tales known to people in Sino-French diplomatic history.

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De Gaulle: Founder of the Sino-French diplomatic relations

General de Gaulle is undoubtedly the one who beyond doubt contributed a lot to the Sino-French friendship. It was under his advocacy and proposal that China and France established ties in 1964, an act that helped break through the "iron curtain" of the Cold War. This act of General de Gaulle was not incidental because in early years he had cast his attention to China, a country with an ancient civilization whose history was even longer than written record, and predicted "China may become the most powerful country in the next century."

Visiting China and meeting with Chairman Mao had long been De Gaulle's wishes. His invitation of Premier Zhou Enlai to visit France in 1966 was meant to pave the way for his visit to China. Maybe it's the wise that appreciates the wise. Chairman Mao responded to De Gaulle's respect for him at many occasions. He once said, "I like right wingers, especially those who dare to challenge the Americans like De Gaulle."

Though the two great men looked forward to meet with each other, this did not come true. After resignation de Gaulle planned to visit China in June 1971, but he suddenly passed away in Nov 1970. Hearing the sad news, Mao Zedong sent his condolence by saying, "De Gaulle is a fighter who has defended the independence of France".

Pompidou: first French President to visit China

In Sept 1973, De Gaulle's successor and close friend, Pompidou visited China and thus became the first president who paid visit to China from western Europe. He was afforded the warmest welcome from the Chinese government. Chairman Mao met him in his residence at Zhongnanhai instead of at the Great Hall of the People. Premier Zhou Enlai, who was suffering from cancer arranged carefully for his visit and accompanied him during his visit in China no matter whether he was in the capital or in other cities. President Pompidou said many a time Zhou Enlai was a foreign leader ever met who impressed him most.

Valery Giscard d'Estaing: reciting Confucius' words in Chinese

Pompidou's successor Giscard d'Estaing had a happy memory of Chairman Mao although they didn't meet each other. Just a few weeks before his inauguration as French President, Mao Zedong said in his talk with a visiting African country president that, "I know who is the next French president. It is Mr. d'Estaing." On hearing the comment, the African president was much surprised. So was d'Estaing when he heard the story later on. "I was young and lack of fame at that time. Chairman Mao Zedong showed his understanding in French politics and accurate judgment." It was perhaps because of this, President d'Estaing went to the Chinese embassy offering his condolence to Chairman Mao. This was French president's first visit to a foreign embassy in history.

With superb talent, President d'Estaing began to study the Chinese culture in his early ages. In an interview in 1993, he claimed "immodestly" that he knew well about China's history and was now studying history of the Han, Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties. "The 19th century is the worst period in the relations between China and Europe. I want to know the reason," said he.

In his seventies, d'Estaing began to study Chinese in order to read Chinese books. His diligence proved the old Chinese saying "one's efforts will always be rewarding". In year 2000, he even recited a few pieces of famous instruction from Confucius in Chinese at a cultural seminar, which stunned all attendees.

Francois Mitterrand:Have great esteem for the Chinese culture

Although the Sino-French relation experienced rise and fall during president Mitterrand's tenure, this did not affect his love for the Chinese culture.

Francois Mitterrand paid three visits to China in total. During his first visit to China as leader of out-party, he sightseed in many cities and took down what he saw and heard. In his second visit to China in 1981, he visited the Confucius Temple and took photos there, for which he entitled it "listening to the sound of dragon".

Same as d'Estaing, Mitterrand is fond of the Chinese culture. He has read French version of works of eminent Chinese writers including Ba Jin and Cao Yu. He is also a good friend to some Chinese scholars working in France.

Jacques Chirac: Expert of Chinese bronze wares

The incumbent president Jacques Chirac has the deepest sentiment for China. His China complex can trace back to his childhood, when his tutor often took him to the oriental arts museum, where the bronze wares and porcelains tied him in an indissoluble bond with the oriental culture.

Chirac has gone through various books regarding bronzeware because of his special love for them, and thus is able to give professional appraisal to such wares. Here is a wide spread story in the field of diplomacy: During his visit to the Shanghai Museum in 1997, Ma Chengde, an expert of bronzeware sent 14 volumes of his works, "Chinese Bronzewares" to Chirac. Seeing a picture in the book, Chirac inquired "Is this from the third period of the Erlitou Culture?" Hearing such a professional question, the old expert was struck dumb for a moment before he could nod his head. More surprisingly, president Chirac voiced out the features of the 3600-year-old culture. Their talk was so heated that the time for the take-off of Chirac's special plane had to be put back.

President Chirac's love for the Chinese cultural relics also contributed to enhancing the fame of the relics internationally. During his visit to the Terra Cotta in 1978, at seeing thousands of vivid terracotta warriors, he said out of surprise "there are seven miracles in the world, but the discovery of the Terracotta Warriors is the eighth one." This remark is now widely cited by the media and plays an important role for the Terracotta's going to the world.

At the reception for the Chinese held at the Elysee Palace at the Spring Festival 2001, the journalist felt president Chirac's deep China complex. Normally speaking, the president will leave the reception after delivering speech. But that day he stayed there for one hour. He shook hands with almost everyone and never refused other's initiation to take photo together. In the words of another correspondent, Chirac's unusual posture when meet with ordinary guests embodied his feeling for China and the Chinese people.

By People's Daily Online

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