France-China – Joint communiqué issued by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Paris, 1 April 2009
After several consultation meetings, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China reached the following agreed conclusions.
The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to the paramount importance of Franco-Chinese relations and their determination to seize the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China to strengthen their global strategic partnership based on a strategic long-term approach, mutual respect and consideration of both countries’ fundamental interests. France and China reiterate their commitment to the principle of non-interference as recognized in the United Nations Charter, and agree in a spirit of mutual trust to strengthen their dialogue on matters on which the two countries’ fundamental interests are at stake.
France fully appreciates the importance and sensitivity of the Tibet issue and reaffirms her adherence to the One China Policy and her position that Tibet is an integral part of Chinese territory, in conformity with the decision taken by General de Gaulle which has not changed and will not change. With this in mind and with due regard for the principle of non-interference, France objects to all support for Tibet’s independence in any form whatsoever.
The two parties take the view that in the present political and international economic situation marked by far-reaching changes, France and China, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, shoulder heavy responsibilities when it comes to maintaining global peace and promoting development. The two parties stressed their readiness to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in order together to address such global challenges as the international financial crisis.
With this in mind, the two parties have decided to hold, at the opportune moment, high-level contacts and new sessions of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, to promote bilateral cooperation in the different spheres and ensure a harmonious stable development of the relationship between France and China./.