The year 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and the People’s Republic of China. However, commercial and cultural exchanges between the two countries go back a long way. 

As early as the mid-13th century, several diplomatic and religious missions were sent from Europe to the Mongol empire, which ruled Central Asia and China during this period. Although these European emissaries did not reach China directly, they did confirm the country’s existence. Their writings and observations enriched geographical knowledge. They subsequently inspired other European travelers to venture into East Asia, either for religious or commercial gain.

The most famous of these great travelers was the Venetian Marco Polo. His accounts of China under the Yuan dynasty (Kubilai Khan) were widely distributed in Europe.

The City of Qinsay [Hangzhou] in China (Bibliothèque Nationale de France)

Marco Polo (1254-1324), Le Devisement du monde or Book of Wonders

“There is in the city a very beautiful lake at least thirty miles in circumference. On its shores can be seen magnificent palaces and splendid houses belonging to rich gentlemen or powerful men of the city, and also many abbeys and pagan churches. In the center of the lake are two islands, each with a palace as sumptuous as that of an emperor. These two palaces are used by the city’s inhabitants for their receptions. Everything is set up for them, including crockery and cutlery – in short, everything needed to organize a grand banquet. The king did this to honor his subjects. Anyone can use them: these palaces belong to anyone who wants to throw a party…” 

The Jesuit missionaries

From the 16th century onwards, Jesuit missionaries, who had become connoisseurs of China, discovered the classical Chinese canons and set about translating them. As a result, the introduction of these classical works laid the foundations of Sinology in Europe, profoundly influencing thought in the 17th and 18th centuries. The books most frequently translated by the Jesuits included collections of Confucianism (the four books and the five classics), Taoism, Buddhism and texts on Chinese medicine. 

Chinese fashion

In 1664, the English founded the East India Company, followed by the China Company. These important companies initiated direct trade between Europe and China. From then on, the Oriental art of living became fashionable in European high society. The grandees of the French court collected lacquer furniture and caskets, porcelain, fabrics, paintings and other objects from China and Japan. In 1670, a porcelain Trianon (today’s Grand Trianon), decorated entirely in the Chinese style, was built at Versailles. All the royal castles had apartments furnished in the Chinese style, and fantastic Chinese parties were organized. 

Beginning of diplomatic relations

 

In 1843, a French embassy headed by Théodose de Lagrené was sent to China. This very first ambassador signed the Treaty of Whampoa with the Qing Empire. This Franco-Chinese treaty marked the beginning of genuine diplomatic relations between the two countries. In addition, the embassy gathered a wealth of information concerning not only China, but also Southeast Asia.

* Source: https://heritage.bnf.fr/france-chine/fr

The first to recogniSe the new china

France was the first major Western country to officially recognise the People’s Republic of China (PRC). On January 27, 1964, under President Charles de Gaulle, France established diplomatic relations with the PRC, breaking ranks with the prevailing U.S.-led policy of non-recognition at the time.

This decision was significant because most Western countries, particularly those aligned with the United States, still recognized the Republic of China (Taiwan) as the legitimate government of China. De Gaulle’s move was largely motivated by his vision of an independent French foreign policy, distinct from U.S. influence, and his recognition of the PRC’s growing geopolitical importance.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that other Western countries, including the United States (1979) and the United Kingdom (1972), followed suit in recognising the PRC.