China, France attempt to repair relations in wake of protests
{{date|April 22, 2008}}
[[Image:2008 Olympic torch relay Paris Jin Jing 3.jpg|thumb|A pro-Tibetan protester in Paris attempts to wrangle the Olympic torch from Chinese fencer Jin Jing, who has become a national hero to many because of the incident. {{image credit|Yang Zhen Dong}}]]
After anti-[[France]] protests were held in major [[China|Chinese]] cities over the weekend, China and France are now attempting to smoothen relations. China has discouraged the actions of the "radical" protesters, and French President [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] sent a letter to a Chinese Olympic athlete who has gained national fame in China following a controversial incident in the [[w:Paris|Paris]] Olympic torch relay.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman [[w:Jiang Yu|Jiang Yu]] said the demonstrations were "encouraging and touching," but added that "we do not agree with some people's radical actions." She added that China should continue to harbor friendly bilateral relations with France.
[[Image:Chine carrefour.jpg|thumb|left|A Carrefour retail store in China. Many Chinese protesters called for a boycott of Carrefour, who they accused of supporting the Dalai Lama. {{image credit|[[commons:User:Cege72|Cege72]]}}]]
The Chinese state-run newspaper [[w:China Daily|China Daily]] expressed the government's views on the protests in an editorial, warning against "false patriotism" and encouraging tolerance of differing opinions. "Over-the-top nationalism is not constructive, but can do harm to the country," the English-language newspaper said. "If we want to improve things, we will have to encourage responsible patriotism."

Some Chinese protesters have called for a boycott of French goods, in particular the French retailer [[w:Carrefour|Carrefour]], which Chinese bloggers accused of supporting the [[w:Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]]. Carrefour denied this allegation, saying in an interview that "Carrefour has not given any direct or indirect support to any political or religious cause."
{{QuoteRight|Over-the-top nationalism is not constructive, but can do harm to the country.|20px|20px|China Daily}}
The protests in China were a reaction to pro-Tibetan demonstrations held in Paris on April 7, when the Olympic torch was making its journey through the French capital. Pro-Tibet activists disrupted the torch relay by attempting to extinguish the flame or otherwise halt the proceedings. 

One of the more controversial incidents of the torch relay involved Chinese Olympic fencer [[w:Jin Jing|Jin Jing]], who was one of the athletes chosen to bear the torch. Protesters tried to wrestle the torch from wheelchair-bound Jin, who is now regarded by many Chinese as a national hero because of the incident.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to Jin, condemning the attack she suffered and praising her courage. "I would like to express to you my deep feeling towards the way you were shoved in Paris on April 7 when you were holding the Olympic flame. You showed an outstanding courage, which honors you, and all your country," Sarkozy wrote in the letter. He also extended a personal invitation to her.

"This friendly move by President Sarkozy is appreciated by the Chinese people," said ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu. The letter was personally delivered by French Senate President [[w:Christian Poncelet|Christian Poncelet]], who is scheduled to meet with Chinese President [[Hu Jintao]] and other Chinese leaders this week. Former French Prime Minister [[w:Jean-Pierre Raffarin|Jean-Pierre Raffarin]] is also scheduled to visit China.

{{haveyoursay}}

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Olympic torch extinguished three times in Paris|date=April 7, 2008}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jMNGhV6BnbqFht8T9Tstkb9HHLegD9071D1O0|title=China calls for halt in 'radical' anti-France demonstrations|author=Anita Chang|pub=Associated Press|date=April 22, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/22/content_8030296.htm|title=FM spokesperson calls for joint efforts of China, France to promote bilateral ties|author=|pub=Xinhua|date=April 22, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/22/china.protests/|title=China appears to be softly reining in protests|author=|pub=CNN|date=April 22, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://voanews.com/english/2008-04-22-voa36.cfm|title=France Attempts to Mend Relations with China|author=Daniel Schearf|pub=Voice of America|date=April 22, 2008}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Tibet]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games]]
[[Category:Hu Jintao]]
[[Category:Nicolas Sarkozy]]

[[es:Gobierno chino defiende a Carrefour tras sus declaraciones]]
[[fr:Le gouvernement chinois prend la défense de Carrefour]]
A pro-Tibetan protester in Paris attempts to wrangle the Olympic torch from Chinese fencer Jin Jing, who has become a national hero to many because of the incident. 
After anti-France protests were held in major Chinese cities over the weekend, China and France are now attempting to smoothen relations. China has discouraged the actions of the "radical" protesters, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to a Chinese Olympic athlete who has gained national fame in China following a controversial incident in the Paris Olympic torch relay.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the demonstrations were "encouraging and touching," but added that "we do not agree with some people's radical actions." She added that China should continue to harbor friendly bilateral relations with France.
A Carrefour retail store in China. Many Chinese protesters called for a boycott of Carrefour, who they accused of supporting the Dalai Lama. 
The Chinese state-run newspaper China Daily expressed the government's views on the protests in an editorial, warning against "false patriotism" and encouraging tolerance of differing opinions. "Over-the-top nationalism is not constructive, but can do harm to the country," the English-language newspaper said. "If we want to improve things, we will have to encourage responsible patriotism."

Some Chinese protesters have called for a boycott of French goods, in particular the French retailer Carrefour, which Chinese bloggers accused of supporting the Dalai Lama. Carrefour denied this allegation, saying in an interview that "Carrefour has not given any direct or indirect support to any political or religious cause."

The protests in China were a reaction to pro-Tibetan demonstrations held in Paris on April 7, when the Olympic torch was making its journey through the French capital. Pro-Tibet activists disrupted the torch relay by attempting to extinguish the flame or otherwise halt the proceedings. 

One of the more controversial incidents of the torch relay involved Chinese Olympic fencer Jin Jing, who was one of the athletes chosen to bear the torch. Protesters tried to wrestle the torch from wheelchair-bound Jin, who is now regarded by many Chinese as a national hero because of the incident.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent a letter to Jin, condemning the attack she suffered and praising her courage. "I would like to express to you my deep feeling towards the way you were shoved in Paris on April 7 when you were holding the Olympic flame. You showed an outstanding courage, which honors you, and all your country," Sarkozy wrote in the letter. He also extended a personal invitation to her.

"This friendly move by President Sarkozy is appreciated by the Chinese people," said ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu. The letter was personally delivered by French Senate President Christian Poncelet, who is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders this week. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is also scheduled to visit China.
Asia China Tibet Europe France Politics and conflicts Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games Hu Jintao Nicolas Sarkozy