Macron really had a great time at Sichuan University! Why choose Sichuan? It turns out there is a historical connection.

We really understand our university students too well; even an internet celebrity selling instant coffee can draw a line of people waiting to buy it, let alone a president from a major country... Students have rarely seen such high-ranking officials; after four years of university, they probably haven't even seen the president a few times. The president rushed towards me, we could take a photo together, we could shake hands, and later at the dinner table, I could brag about it. Who could withstand that? This isn't just Macron giving a speech at Sichuan University; it's clearly Sichuan University organizing a visit for Macron.

Right now, Macron really needs this. His domestic approval ratings have repeatedly hit new lows, several cabinet formations have ended in failure, the economy continues to be sluggish, and right-wing movements are on the rise across Europe. This time he came to China with the goal of gaining some political capital. The China-France relationship is considered relatively strong in Europe, and a relatively stable Europe aligns with China's interests, so China is also happy to give Macron this opportunity. After this visit, Macron will have something to brag about—let's not even mention what cooperation agreements were reached; just look at how much the citizens of the world's second-largest economy like me. It's not easy for Macron! He was publicly scolded by Trump, had to walk on foot after his motorcade was stopped in the U.S., and Putin in Russia doesn't pay him any attention. He was publicly slapped by his wife, and French citizens threw rotten eggs and slapped him.

Only in China does Macron feel like the President of France, receiving the respect a president should get. Only when he arrives in China is he welcomed with a red carpet, greeted by the foreign minister, and students at the university eagerly wanting to shake his hand. Here, no one scolds him, and no one makes things difficult for him. There is also a welcome that feels like a tidal wave, and he can also experience the thrill of being a superstar. If I were Macron, looking back on these years of grievances and seeing the present, I could cry. The president can do whatever he wants! I just want to be at Sichuan University! At the speech at Sichuan University, he started by apologizing for not wearing a tie, then said: “Some will tell you that Europe is aging, that the wealthy countries of the G7 are arrogant, and that the West looks down on the Global South. But these are all narratives, fabricated.” In front of everyone, he refused to divide the world in half, knowing that the U.S. is constantly “forming cliques and small circles,” which is effectively a “soft slap” to the U.S. Macron also mentioned “a certain Western power that wants to dominate the world,” criticizing the “hegemony of the dollar.” He brought up China, first criticizing a lot of European issues, and then praised China's rapid investment post-pandemic and its advanced technology.

From his words, it felt like he really wanted to strengthen relations with China. The European group led by France has gotten bogged down in the Russia-Ukraine issue, mistakenly believing that they could support Ukraine and crush Russia alongside the U.S. As the conflict has dragged on, Europe has realized it has no control and is instead deeply trapped. Europe wants to stop, but it's not up to them to decide. Ukraine has no leverage to stop, and Russia is unwilling to listen to Europe. Now they finally understand that the U.S. is not reliable and that it wants Europe to come to the negotiating table. So, carrying gifts and lowering their posture, they come to speak kindly, with one core purpose: to ask China to step in and call out “let's pause and have a chat.” China's attitude is to give enough courtesy, maintain face, and that cooperation can be discussed. But it won't make any policy adjustments just for France. The core remains: I take the lead and use what I need. Lastly, let's discuss the historical relationship between China and France. France was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with us. In 1949, after the founding of the country, only the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, North Korea, and several other socialist countries established diplomatic ties with us. It wasn't until 1964 that China and France announced the establishment of diplomatic relations, giving us our first Western friend. In 1981, Chengdu, our country's city, became a sister city with Montpellier in France, making Chengdu the first city in China to establish a friendly city relationship with France.

In the 1990s, during the development of China's J-10 fighter jet, the core technology of the digital fly-by-wire control system encountered bottlenecks. The U.S. and the Soviet Union were unwilling to offer help. In the end, it was France's Dassault Aviation that provided assistance, and their cooperation resolved many core issues. Yes, it was Dassault, the manufacturer of the "Mirage" and "Rafale" series of fighter jets. Many people may not know that France's Dassault and our Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group have been collaborating since the 1990s and continue to this day.