PARIS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- French researcher Philippe Barret, author of the book "Have No Fear of China", believed that French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's visit to China indicates positive developments in Franco-Sino relations in a context still waiting to be fully exploited.
China and France "are visibly animated by positive intentions," said the French expert on China during an interview with Xinhua on the occasion of Philippe's trip.
Philippe had just finished a four-day official visit to China from Friday to Monday.
"This visit fits within the through-line of the visit to China by President (Emmanuel) Macron last January. We are in a phase of consolidation," Barret said, adding that "French businesses are naturally all to benefit".
"To make commercial and industrial agreements, yes, but that isn't enough... There would be a lot to do in the cultural domain that, until now, we don't do it, neither the French, nor the Chinese," Barret said.
He believed that it was necessary to "begin with the learning of the Chinese language within [France]. And yet the demand is high".
"In the domain of arts, aside from cinema where certain collaborations have been developed, exchanges remain in their infancy. It's really a shame, because it's crucial," he argued.
Former French presidents, such as Charles de Gualle, Jacques Chirac and Valery Giscard d'Estaing had made an intellectual effort in order to try to understand China, Barret added.
During Philippe's visit, China and France had signed a raft of agreements concerning bilateral cooperation in energy, technology, agricultural food and health care. Both nations spoke highly of their pragmatic cooperation results.
