Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Persuading Beijing to revaluate the Yuan, diminish pollution and “vigorously” intervene to resolve the Iranian nuclear crises and the massacre of Myanmar’s population are the key objectives which French President Nicolas Sarkozy set himself on his arrival in China yesterday, his first Asian trip since his May election victory. Yesterday he was in the ancient capital Xian where he visited the museum of the Qin dynasty “clay soldiers”, before attending an in formal dinner with President Hu Jintao, who he will meet again today. Speaking to french business leaders following private talks with President Hu Jintao, Sarkozy said Beijing should play a more active role in resolving the nuclear standoff with Tehran and other international disputes.
A key concern is revaluation of the Yuan so as to help balance bilateral trade between France and the mainland, which was €16 billion euros in the mainland's favour last year. Sarkozy explained that “a great country should have a strong currency” and that there must be an “equitable balance between the major currencies”. Sarkozy also addressed the widespread counterfeiting of products, including famous French brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, saying Beijing, as a "great economic power", has every interest in respecting the rules of world commerce. He also invited a more sustainable development that respects the environment and is committed to combating global warming.
Sarkozy's delegation includes ministers and top business officials, in the hopes to oversee the signing of several major deals including the sale of airbus and nuclear technology: today Areva SA signed a nuclear reactor agreement valued at 8 billion euros with China; the French company's largest-ever contract. Tomorrow the French president will address students and faculty members at Beijing’s Tsinghua University. His tour concludes tomorrow, when he will inspect Beijing's Olympic venues and visit Shanghai.
Sarkozy's trip comes days before high-level talks between China and European Union monetary officials and a Sino-EU summit on Wednesday in Beijing. The EU is also worried about the mainland's growing trade surplus, which it blames on an artificially weak Yuan: in 2007 the Yuan lost more than 6.3% against the euro, increasing the cost of European goods making them less competitive than products from the US or Japan. (PB)