Jean Besson, president of the France-China Friendship Group at the French Senate, believes that China's support is essential for the eurozone's recovery. Provided to China Daily

As the leader of a core member of the eurozone and Europe's second largest economy, Hollande is also expected to assure Beijing that it can be confident about the stability of the eurozone and the political will of European leaders to overcome the sovereign debt crisis.

Jean Besson, president of the France-China Friendship Group at the French Senate, says that China's support is essential for the eurozone's recovery, as the region's economy remains fragile.

He says that China and Europe should have stronger coordination in economic and financial policies and China needs to diversify its assets by investing more in euro-denominated bonds given its huge financial resources.

"Europe is China's largest trading partner so it is also in China's interest to support the eurozone," he says.

"One cannot have a single partner overshadowing other economic areas. China should continue to fund the debt of the European countries to ensure its exports," he says.

African agenda

Jean-Marie Le Guen, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, says that the roles of China and France in Africa should be complementary. Provided to China Daily

China and France should use the upcoming meeting between the top leaders to intensify cooperation in Africa and to forge a strategic partnership in order to promote development in the region, says Jean-Marie Le Guen, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly.

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Le Guen says that the roles of China and France in Africa should be complementary and stronger cooperation will benefit the region's economic and social development.

"It will be mutually beneficial if China and France can work together ... and combine their approaches."

Cooperation between French and Chinese enterprises is increasing in various sectors in Africa, including infrastructure, logistics, science, health and education, he says.

France, which has historic links with Africa through colonization and which continues to exert influence over the continent, has been paying close attention to China's growing presence in recent years.

"We know that China has increased investment in Africa, but we think it is a good thing because Africa needs to improve its economy and social development," Le Guen says.

Africa, with an economic growth rate of 5 percent, has become China's fourth largest investment destination. The total value of China's direct investment in Africa reached $15.3 billion as of April 2012. Bilateral trade jumped to $200 billion in 2012 from $10 billion in 2000.

While France may remain cautious about China's economic presence in Africa, the country wants to seek political support and closer cooperation with Beijing on key issues in the region, such as its ongoing action in Mali, experts say.

Chinese media recently quoted a French diplomat in Beijing as saying that France hopes China can participate in the international support group meeting on Mali, scheduled to be held in Brussels in April.

Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhai Jun said earlier that China does not exclude multilateral partnerships in cooperation with Africa.

"China and France enjoy a satisfactory dialogue on the issue and the prospects for Sino-French cooperation to promote development in Africa are good," he says.

China is also open to international cooperation in Africa, and cooperation between China and Africa does not exclude other developing countries or developed ones from becoming involved, says Yao Guimei, an expert on China-Africa economic cooperation at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

But any international cooperation should have Africa's consent and be done in the continent's interest, says Yao, pointing to transportation, infrastructure and agriculture as potential areas for such cooperation.

Cultural exchanges

During his visit to China, Hollande is also expected to discuss with Chinese leaders the preparation for a series of cultural and art exhibition and festivals to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.

France, under the leadership of Charles de Gaulle, was the first Western country to recognize the government of China in 1964. Experts say that the historic and political bond between the two countries could serve to further boost the cultural, art, science and education exchanges among Chinese and French people.

"Encouraging more exchanges between civil societies, especially among young French and Chinese has always been a priority of France to develop Sino-French relations," says Besson.

"The partnership between the new Chinese and French leaders should be the engine of growth in educational exchanges between the two countries in the coming years," he says.

The number of Chinese students in France has increased tenfold over the past 10 years with nearly 30,000 students having enrolled in French institutions of higher education.

Chinese has also become the fifth most taught language in France while there are at least 70,000 Chinese learners of French, he says.

Besson also emphasized the "decentralized cooperation" between the two countries at provincial and city levels.

So far 68 French local authorities are engaging with China in about 160 projects in key sectors such as economic development, cultural exchanges and scientific and academic research. About 15 French local governments have opened representative offices in China, he says.

"While China is rising to a global power, decentralized cooperation between the two countries could substantially contribute to the development of local communities," Besson says.

Cheng Shican and Qin Zhongwei contributed to this story.

lixiang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/19/2013 page1)