New leadership will take China to even greater heights, former french prime minister says

Jean-Pierre Raffarin has something that most of the policymakers in Europe would gladly give an arm or leg for. The former French prime minister and current vice-president of the Senate is not only a frequent visitor to China, but someone who enjoys the confidence of the new leadership in China.

Raffarin has set a record of sorts in Europe by making a visit to China once every three months since his first visit some 40 years ago. Though most of these frequent visits have brought him closer to the factories and poor villages in China, it also gave him an opportunity to closely interact with the new set of leaders who will take the helm in China.

"No other French politician can say that they enjoy a close rapport with Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang," says Raffarin during a recent interview with China Daily. "I will use this advantage and knowledge to further strengthen the ties between the two countries."

Raffarin says that Xi is "experienced, direct and straightforward" and has enough knowledge about Europe. His ties with Li Keqiang dates back to several years to the time Li was working in Liaoning province. Li visited Europe in 2010 and 2011 and enriched his experiences in tackling bilateral relations amid the unfolding financial and debt crisis. "Li Keqiang is a down-to-earth and open-minded and his team is extremely professional," Raffarin says.

Policymakers in Europe should be aware that like Xi and Li, all the other members of the 25-member Politburo of Central Committee of Communist Party of China are equally important and capable. In other words, Europe should have the utmost confidence in the new Chinese leadership, he says.

"Top leaders are important, but don't forget that in China there is a team to implement the collective management of the country," says Raffarin, adding that his observations are based on his travels and experiences in China since 1971.

Though he is a much more frequent visitor to China than in the past, the pace of change still astounds him. "The frequent visits help me understand what is going on in China. Frequent visits are important to recognize and deepen understanding," he says.

Raffarin says that his first trip to China was in 1971 on a student visit to Hong Kong. During that trip, he also visited Shanghai and says that China remained a "mysterious and forbidden" country for him, while the faces of ordinary people were often etched with sadness.

But even then what was endearing was the vibrancy of the youngsters. "Most of the youngsters that I met in those days were warm and encouraging and gave me the feeling of a good and strong economy in the making," Raffarin says.

Through the years, Raffarin says he has kept track of the progress made by China and says that his initial impressions have been proved more than correct.

Raffarin says that he was particularly impressed by the CPC commitment to double the 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents in China by 2020.

"It is a very good message for the debt-ridden Western countries. It is good for Chinese citizens, as the higher income will increase consumption. At the same time it is also encouraging for European countries like France," says Raffarin. The new goal will help China to rely more on domestic consumption rather than foreign investment and foreign trade for economic growth, he says.

More importantly, such a planned development model will encourage China's expanding middle class to spend more on goods exported from European countries like France, travel overseas and send more students abroad. Further industrialization and urbanization in China will also offer more opportunities for European technologies and knowledge.

"All these trends will help uncork the potential for several European countries," says Raffarin.

"The entire world was watching with keen anticipation the outcome of the party Congress, as the outcome in Beijing remained vital for global economic recovery."

At the same time Raffarin also acknowledges the stellar role played by the leadership of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao in shaping China's global image. "Not only are they excellent strategists, but also leaders who want peace in the world and have taken the initiative on several occasions to achieve it. In many ways this is an important legacy for the new leadership to continue," he says.

At the same time, the leadership has also maintained China's growth rate on the fast track during the past 10 years. This, according to Raffarin, is the second legacy of the leadership.

"Peace and growth are the two important global contributions made by the incumbent leadership in China. It is also important for European leaders to make frequent visits to China to understand and experience the change that is happening all around."

Raffarin says that the CPC members itself would outnumber the population in several European countries. "It is a tough job to drive such a big Party. I am impressed by the efficient and professional organization right from the top to the bottom of the Party," says Raffarin, adding that he has also visited several grassroots organizations of the Party.

One of the factors that have been responsible for the success of the CPC over the years is the wealth of intellectual talent that it enjoys. "There are many clever and devoted people who are working round the clock for the success of the Party and the government."

Raffarin admits that it is important for the CPC to have a streamlined administration and management process as most of China's strength comes from "the collective leadership".

"I always remind Western press of the fact that China is under the leadership of a team of sophisticated and devoted leaders and politicians," Raffarin says. "It also gives me the utmost confidence on the future of China."

Raffarin says the world "still remains dangerous" and the main external challenge facing China's new leadership is their capability in continuing the momentum of peaceful development with the rest of the world. "The new leadership should carry on this positive approach," he says.

On the domestic front, China should continue to develop its economy and encourage development of its own cultures, especially traditional civilization, and also balance its economic growth and cultural development. "Culture should have the same importance as economy in China."

Liu Jia contributed to this story.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/23/2012 page6)