“I am delighted to attend this meaningful event. AI has been a buzzword in recent years. As the core driving force for a new round of industrial transformation, AI will certainly provide a significant boost to social development and human progress. The rapid development of AI will profoundly change human society and life, and change the world. 

The leaders of China and France have attached great importance to the development of AI. In July 2017, the Chinese government issued the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, which sets ambitious targets through 2030. In March 2018, President Macron announced France’s national strategy for developing AI, with a focus on the health, transport, environment and security sectors. President Macron visited China earlier this year. In his talks with the French president, President Xi Jinping stressed that both sides should continue pushing forward the overall alignment between Made in China 2025 and France's Industry of the Future plan, enhance cooperation in innovation, and better achieve advantage complementarities and common development in such areas as digital economy, AI and advanced manufacturing industry. This was followed by Premier Philippe’s trip to China, which started with a stop in Shenzhen. Premier Philippe looked at the development of AI there.

China-France AI cooperation enjoys a solid foundation and promising future. First, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has witnessed steady development. According to official statistics, China-France bilateral trade reached US$54.46 billion in 2017, up 15.4% year on year (YoY). From January to August 2018, total export-import volume between China and France grew by 15% YoY to US$39.9 billion. As of the end of August 2018, China’s investment in France totalled US$18.75 billion, making China France’s 12-largest source of investment. Currently, there are more than 600 Chinese enterprises registered in France, with 65 major investment projects in total.

Second, China is well positioned to develop AI. While China falls behind the developed world in terms of basic theories, core algorithms, high-end equipment and top talent, the growing technological capacity, massive data resource, huge application demand and open market environment will create a unique advantage for the country.

Third, China and France are strongly complementary in AI development. As you know, in addition to the rich talent pool, France has considerable strength and advantage in digital and computer science research. China, on the other hand, has a wealth of experience in big data and business models. Despite gaps in areas such as development levels and industry standards, the two countries can, through advantage complementarity and cooperation, vigorously tap their potential to achieve mutual development, create huge economic and social value, and contribute to human progress.

At present, the world is at a time of significant development, great changes and huge adjustments. Unilateralism and trade protectionism is on the rise, creating unprecedented challenges for global governance. However, peace and development are still the theme of the times. The global trends towards multi-polarity and globalization are irreversible. China and France share the same ideas and similar vision on a lot of things. Both countries champion free trade, oppose trade protectionism, favour multilateralism, and support the settlement of international trade disputes through the WTO. Amid a complicated international landscape, China will unswervingly pursue the path of peaceful development and uphold the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that China will never close its doors; they will only be opened wider and wider going forward.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was launched five years ago, has received support from neighbouring countries. So far, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 130 countries and international organizations. The idea of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration has wide implications for the world. The BRI has been included in the resolution of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, bringing in new ideas and plans for improving the global economic governance architecture. The BRI originates from China, but the opportunities and outcomes belong to the world. China is ready to align the BRI with Europe's infrastructure development strategy. Also, China is ready to join France to study cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, exploring third-party market cooperation in more countries for mutual benefits.

The first China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai, China soon. It is not only an international trade event, but also an opportunity to discuss major issues on global trade and global economy. Here, I am happy to tell you, over 70 French businesses across various sectors will attend the Expo, covering an area of more than 5,000 square meters. Among them are well-known names such as Danone, EDF, Peugeot, Citroen, Sodexo, L'Oréal, Renault, Sanofi, Schneider and Lesaffre. I believe that, with the joint efforts of all, China-France AI cooperation will be a new start, new pivot and new highlight for the development of China-France economic and trade relations. The commercial section of Chinese Embassy in France will, as always, double its efforts on cooperation with the Paris Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other French businesses to provide companies of both countries with perfect and considerate services. Let us work together to contribute to the development of China-France relations.”