French Ambassador to China Laurent Bili Photo: Courtesy of the French Embassy in China

 

Editor's Note:

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, France has shown support for China in the battle against the epidemic. Recently, Global Times reporters Xie Wenting and Bai Yunyi (GT) interviewed Laurent Bili (Bili), French Ambassador to China, on a range of topics including bilateral cooperation on coronavirus, French investment and how France is prepared to deal with the possible pandemic.


GT: How can France and China cooperate in the battle against coronavirus on the global stage? What kind of cooperation has been conducted so far? 

Bili: France stands side by side and has shown its solidarity to Chinese people since the beginning of this crisis. We have, repeatedly, made the best use of the organization of special flights to carry medical equipment to Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province. The last shipment, on February 20, brought in 17 tons of donations. You have also probably noticed the solidarity gestures of intellectuals and sports communities, such as [soccer teams] Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais. 

The French health community as a whole is fully mobilized to find cures and to better understand the virus in order to contain the epidemic as soon as possible. On a larger scale, our long-lasting bilateral medical cooperation is known to be rich. I am especially referring to the 2004 framework agreement on the fight against emerging and infectious diseases. With the aim of wiping out the crisis, we would like to give a new impetus to this cooperation and reflect together on the use of the different instruments we have in our possession, focusing in particular on the P4 laboratory in Wuhan and the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai. New French-Chinese research programs aiming to prevent epidemics could also be considered. Cooperation in terms of health care system organization and emergencies management also presents interesting prospects. 

At the multilateral level, WHO is responsible for leading the international response to health crises, and the framework provided by the International Health Regulations of 2005 has proved its effectiveness. Within this framework, France and China could work to improve the international community's mobilization and response capacities. 


GT: Considering the economic impact caused by the epidemic, do you think China is still an attractive market for French investment and businesses? 

Bili: The progress of the Chinese economy in recent years is impressive. We appreciate the emphasis now being placed on greater respect for the environment to ensure people's quality of life and preserve global public goods, such as climate, biodiversity and health. French companies are eager to make their contribution to these transformations.

In the short term, this crisis will certainly have an impact on both ­Chinese and international growth. Many trade fairs or business trips planned in China in the first quarter of 2020 have already been postponed. Depending on the field of activity, companies are adapting more or less easily to quarantine measures and working from home. Restrictions applied to transport and movement of people can also pose some difficulties for companies. Temporarily softening the procedures for authorizing the provision of exceptional financing from abroad to replenish the equity of enterprises or subsidiaries established in China could be a measure that could help the weakest ones among them. 

We have no doubt that the ­Chinese economy will recover soon. It is in China's interest as well as that of its partners to have a strong Chinese economy. Many French companies have made the choice of China and often tied long-term partnerships with their fellow Chinese counterparts. 

Our companies are showing their solidarity with Chinese people and are fully committed to helping China overcome this crisis as quickly as possible. 


GT: How do you evaluate China's ­efforts in curbing the epidemic? 

Bili: First of all, I would like to express my solidarity to the Chinese people and pay tribute to their courage and composure in this ordeal. We understand the exceptional situation and the challenges that are facing the Chinese authorities, along with the necessary measures that ought to be taken in this context. I admire the mobilization of everyone, especially the impressive work doctors and health workers are doing, notably in Wuhan. 


GT: Has France prepared for a possible pandemic of the coronavirus across Europe? What work has been done in your country to curb the spread of the virus?

Bili: As the French Minister for Health stated, "The risk is credible but all precautions are taken." We are still monitoring closely the evolution of the epidemic, especially in cooperation with Italy. Health ministers remain in close contact at European level as well as in the G7 format, to ensure transparency of information and to cope with the risk of the virus spread. 

Each local government now has an identified facility to receive infected patients. Santé Publique France, the national health agency, has also just updated its definition of the COVID-­19 infection cases and is working to anticipate the dynamic of the epidemic, as China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention is doing. 


GT: France is in the early stages of rolling out its next-generation wireless technology. What's the stance of the French government on Huawei? 

Bili: The deployment of 5G networks is a major technological challenge for the coming years on which France and China are maintaining close ­dialogue. We reject any discrimination and consider Huawei on the same footing as other companies ­offering equipment in this field. Legal adaptions taken in the area, according to the recommendations of the European Commission, will enable us to protect our strategic sectors, just as our major partners are doing.
Newspaper headline: Allied against epidemic