Tackling World Economic Challenges: France in the Euro-China Partnership
VIEW EVENT DETAILSLuncheon Presentation by Laurent Fabius, Foreign Minister & Former Prime Minister, France
Registration at 12:15 pm
Luncheon at 12:30 pm
Closes at 2:00 pm
The European Union has long been China's largest trading partner. Today, more than ever, this partnership is key to tackling world economic challenges. Europe needs China's dynamism to mitigate the effects of the current crisis and China requires Europe's technology and expertise to promote a more qualitative and balanced development. To a large extend, world prosperity depends on the strength of this partnership. While France already boasts vibrant economic relations with mainland China and Hong Kong, promoting trade and cross-border investment with China is a priority. In terms of trade Hong Kong has the second biggest trade surplus in the world with France. On the investment front, around 2500 French companies have settled in China, including 750 French companies in Hong Kong, which generate a turnover of around 100 billion Hong Kong dollars. What are the areas for potential cooperation between the two nations? How does the French government view the internationalization of the renminbi?
Laurent Fabius is France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Fabius has held numerous positions in public office including Prime Minister, Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry, Budget Minister and Minister of Industry and Research. He has also served as President of the National Assembly. The author of six books, Mr. Fabius is a specialist in economic and financial issues, European affairs, international relations as well as paintings and sculpture. His most recent book Le Cabinet des Douze – Regards sur des tableaux qui font la France won the Prix Montaigne award. Mr. Fabius is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure and the National School of Public Administration.