French corporate leaders appreciate innovation, opening up of Chinese market

The French corporate leaders attending the ongoing 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) said they are enthusiastic about investing in the increasingly innovative Chinese market and they hope the two countries will share a greater future as China keeps expanding opening up.

France as one of the guests of honor of this year's CIIE has brought 19 companies to the expo held in Shanghai.

The attending French companies said they expect this event will help promote French technologies and manufacturing goods to the world and also help strengthen their cooperation with the Chinese counterparts.

"China also invests in the innovations. I mean innovation is very active. So, we cooperate with government, of course, in China. We also cooperate with private companies. We have a lot of joint ventures for instance in China. I'm sure we have to find a win-win cooperation," said Ludovic Weber, APAC CEO of Saint-Gobain, a material and solution provider.

Denis Vergneau, general manager of SINODIS, said the French dessert company is increasing its investment in China and hopes to strengthen cooperation as well.

"We are investing in people, investing in plans, investing in products, investing in innovation to better collaborate, to better share, to better exchange," he said.

As China keeps opening its market to the world, attending French companies said they believe the two countries will have a better future as they march hand in hand.

"I was as usual amazed by the collective energy and I really hope and I really believe. This is going to drive our future together," said Eric Vallat, CEO of Remy Cointreau, a spirit company.

"Everything China can do to open up is very positive. The more China can open the doors the better it is. So, we are very confident about the future," said Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman of Board of Directors of L'Oreal.

The 6-day event, which will close on Sunday, has seen fruitful results, with nearly 600 deals secured, over 400 new product debuts, and 80 loyal exhibitors signing up for next year's event.

French corporate leaders appreciate innovation, opening up of Chinese market

Competent Chinese authorities have handled the case of suspected espionage activities conducted by Philippine nationals in China strictly in accordance with the facts and law, and will protect the lawful rights and interests of the relevant personnel in processing the case, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Lin Jian, the spokesman, made the statement at a regular press conference in Beijing in response to a media inquiry on a recent case of suspected espionage activities conducted by Philippine nationals in China.

"China's competent departments have released specific information on the suspected espionage activities conducted by Philippine nationals in China. China's judicial organs and other competent authorities have handled the case in strict accordance with the facts and law and will protect the lawful rights and interests of the relevant personnel. The Philippines has recently concocted multiple so-called 'Chinese spy cases'. Without clearly ascertaining the facts, it handled the cases based on the presumption of guilt and has stigmatized and politicized the cases. China firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests with the Philippines side multiple times. China urges the Philippines to stop shadow-chasing and earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the country," said the spokesman.

China handles case of suspected espionage by Philippine nationals strictly in line with law: spokesman