2010-08-31 08:37

BEIJING - From his birth in North Africa to his early youth spent in South America, Dominique de Villepin would later go on to serve his country with courage and ambition as the French ambassador to both the US and India.

Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin talks to China Daily in an exclusive interview in Beijing on Monday. Zhang Wei/ China Daily

This professional and life experience -- as well as his role as France's prime minister from 2005 to 2007 -- has also endowed him with a wider perspective with which to forge international ties.

To this end, Villepin is now arriving in China as the Global Chairman of the Asia-Pacific CEO Association for the World Emerging Industries Summit 2010, which opens on Wednesday in Changchun, Jilin.

One of the most critical changes that must take place in the world economy, and the one Villepin said he would stress at the summit, is a structural one.

Rather, it is a shift from "the current competition between our economies to cooperation in order to avoid clashes of our economies," Villepin told China Daily.

"Each of us needs to respect specifics," he said.

Regarding China's "miraculous development," Villepin said "we need the spirit of cooperation by sharing our experience within different industries and regions. "The dynamism of China is absolutely incredible."

Having traveled to China as French foreign minister in 2003 - a post he held from 2002 to 2004 - Villepin has since made more visits representing the Asia-Pacific CEO Association.

Villepin said that France and China now maintain a stable relationship, with leadership visits paid by both sides. "France wants China to play a bigger role in world politics and economy, and hopes for more (bilateral) cooperation," said Villepin.

Hopes run high in Paris that China's role and responsibility in world affairs can now be elevated to a higher level, said Villepin.

Villepin stressed that confrontations over lingering disputes between the EU and China - from human rights to arms embargoes and trading statuses - should be avoided.

"I don't think we should confront each other," he said. "We should decide in the interest of the world economy and avoid any kind of tension."

Moreover, the two powers are at a moment "when economic cooperation is very important, so we should not add new difficulty to the world economy but more understanding".

Q&A

From discussing how to turn a resources-consuming economy into a green one, from poetry to politics, former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin shares with China Daily reporter Wu Jiao his thoughts on how to make the world a better place. Here is an excerpt of the interview.

Q: What's the major focus you want to address in your keynote speech on the Emerging Industry Forum as the global chairman of the Asia-Pacific CEO Association?

A. I want to emphasize the importance of trying to change our view. In the coming years we have an important challenge, which is the necessity to go from a competition economy to a cooperation economy The second challenge is how to go from an economy which is using a lot of resources to an economy which (can) create a different perspective, a green economy based on new energy, with solar (and) civilian nuclear energy - and clean coal. (China is) using a lot of coal for electricity, if you are going use clean coal, then it's going to be a major change for your country. So I do believe that we have the solutions we just need to find the best way to cooperate together.

Q: Catherine Ashton has flown to China on Monday to coordinate with China on global issues. What are these issues?

A: I believe we have a lot to work for the next years. And we have to prepare for the G20 summit to get coordinated and avoid controversies. I believe the most important thing is to find some new way to regulate the world (financial system) to avoid a new crisis. We still need some new steps in order to clean up the (current) financial situation, and have a banking system that is more secure. Also we have to take steps to avoid speculation wrongdoings in the world economy this is also going to be on the agenda.

Q: The concept behind the G2 is felt by many to mean that the US and China rule the world. What's your comment on this?

A: I (don't) believe this is the solution for the world economy. I don't believe China or the US can concentrate on (everything). If we want to lead the world community we need to integrate and work together with different economies - with Africa, the US, Europe. This concept of the G2 is not in the minds of either Chinese or US leaders. We should adjust and advocate the best solutions through the G20.

(Moreover) we need to reject the G2 model. There are fears that the two economies leading world economy could create frustration and inequality.

It is more of something that is feared today rather than wished by anybody if we want a solution then we need a goal that different economies may be able to cooperate together.

Q: What does the chairmanship of G20 means for France?

A: The G20 has a lot of work to do in the coming years, and the chairmanship by France at the end of this year is important - and that's why we should try to take important initiatives in order to understand the world need more governance, the global governance in the different fields of environment or whether we are talking about the financial system or whether we are talking about the global economy.

We need more global governance in order to adjust the situation in different zones like Asia, Europe and the US. We see the economic slowdown of the US, and we are worried to see this may also develop in our own countries - and that's why we need to take some common steps to take into account these difficulties.

Q: Will you be a candidate for the next French presidential election?

A: We are going to see. It's too early. My party will certainly play a very important role. And I will put all my forces into this presidential election. We have a view of France, which is more balanced, sometimes.