China

Abstract

China is today the key country in France’s and the EU’s Asia policy. It is not only the most populous country on earth, but boasts the fastest growing major economy and is seen as economically, politically, militarily and even culturally strategic to French interests. Many post-1964 analyses have tended to privilege the “Gaullist” interpretation (see Chapter 2) of French objectives and policies with regard to China. Some scholars even see it in terms of a “special relationship” of two medium, independent powers with China as a fast-rising power (Peyrefitte 1973, 1997; Wellons 1994; Bridges and Domenach 1990). Gaullist French foreign policy is characterized by a pronounced national independence, and activism in foreign affairs. There is an abiding desire to maintain rank with the major world powers, to preserve an equilibrium among blocs of states, and to pursue a policy of active involvement, if not intervention around the world (Hoffmann 1986; Grosser 1984:195). Often France is prepared to “go it alone” if its partners are thought to be “out of step” (Wise 1989:39). Recent French academic and policy makers’ references to the US as an ”hyper-puissance” that needs to be balanced by other powers - in particular the EU and China - have updated this essentially Gaullist perspective in which China is perceived as the most promising, if not sole rising power capable of challenging continued US hegemony in the 21st century (Védrine 1998; Economist 11 November 2000:74).