China and France should respect and understand each other. Different levels of development, historical and cultural backgrounds, and social systems should not pose barriers to the development of our relations. In fact, these differences create opportunities for us to learn about each other and strengthen our cooperation. Both countries have some major concerns. As strategic partners, we should show respect and understanding toward these concerns.

China and France should seek common ground while shelving differences. In cooperating on a wide range of bilateral and international issues, our common ground far outweighs our differences. No countries can agree with each other on every issue. It is important that we realize our convergent interests are growing. With this in mind, we will advance our relations for the benefit of our two nations as well as world peace and development.

The China-France relations have been regarded as a successful model for China's ties with major Western powers. During Jacques Chirac's 12-year presidency in particular, the two countries forged close ties. Current French President Nicolas Sarkozy also prioritized China-France relations after taking office. At the end of last year, however, he met with the Dalai Lama despite China's opposition, casting a dark shadow over the two countries' relations. Does this mean that France's diplomatic policy has taken a new direction?

The continued development of China-France relations is attributed to the fact that the two countries' leaders, both past and present, personally help promote these relations while seeing great value in them. Their future development hinges not only on the leaders but also on the joint efforts of people from all walks of life in the two countries. We are fully confident about that because China-France relations enjoy strong support from the public.

I believe President Sarkozy values the development of France-China relations. He visited China shortly after taking office. Last year, he attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing. He reiterated that he attaches great importance to France-China relations, to the two countries' cooperation in various fields and to their coordination and cooperation in international affairs. China also gives weight to China-France relations and their traditional friendship. We look forward to working together with France to advance our bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect.

We should face up to the problems in China-France relations. We should look into the causes of these problems and sum up our experience in the spirit of ensuring China-France relations move forward on a solid foundation in the future. In our view, the French side should take concrete actions to respond positively to China's concerns over core issues so as to free the two countries' relations from disturbance.

China reacted strongly after Sarkozy met with the Dalai Lama. Some people in France believe that China's reaction to Sarkozy's meeting with the Dalai Lama was stronger than the reaction to the meetings between other countries' presidents and prime ministers and the Dalai Lama. What's your take?

As a matter of fact, the Chinese Government is always firm in its position on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Its position on these issues has never changed. Our judgment that the Dalai Lama is not simply a religious figure is based on facts. The Dalai Lama has never ceased his political efforts to split China. He even gives hidden-hand encouragement and support to violence aimed at splitting the motherland. Foreign leaders committed to developing friendly and cooperative relations with China should not have official engagement with the Dalai Lama in any form, either out of consideration for their country's bilateral relations with China or out of adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Meetings between foreign leaders and the Dalai Lama do harm to those countries' relations with China. China upholds its principled position not only when France is concerned but at all times. We hope countries having relations with China can recognize the Chinese nation's firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

You have studied at the prestigious École Nationale d'Administration and worked in the Chinese Embassy in France for many years. With your strong command of French society and culture, how do you understand the differences between some French media organizations and China in their views on the Tibet issue?

Many French friends have told me that the French media's views on the Tibet issue do not represent theirs. I don't think the French general public stands for the Dalai Lama's institutions and concepts.

I hope more and more French people go to China, visit Tibet Autonomous Region and learn about its history and the economic achievements they made in past decades. When they witness Tibet's great achievements and understand how the descendants of the millions of serfs who gained freedom [in Tibet's Democratic Reform in 1959] feel, they will have a better understanding of the determination and confidence of the Chinese people, including Tibetan compatriots, to safeguard the unity of the motherland and build a beautiful new Tibet.