[War] France: Adventures in Chinese Diplomacy

[Dan Garcia]

"France:  Adventures in Chinese Diplomacy"
President Pierre Legrand, French Republic
August 6th, 2014


In the next room, representatives of the media were preparing for the press conference Pierre was preparing to give.  He was more or less ready to go out there when his press advisor stopped him.

"Mr. President," the advisor began, "I've learned that the Chinese government is currently talking with the media about a PR campaign over the Canadian issue."

"Well, they don't precisely trust us to make the 'right' decision, do they.  That is the decision they want us to make," Pierre joked.  Then, "I don't suppose I would be too interested to know who was kind enough to tell you about this."

"If I did, I could be replaced," the advisor said with a smile.  Pierre laughed.

"Well then, if that's the way this is going," Pierre said, looking towards the entrance to the room where the press conference was about to begin.  Without looking back down at the advisor, "Let the media know, quietly, that the Chinese view shouldn't be the only one people hear.  Tell them that the government expects fair and balanced coverage of this issue, even if they have to bend over backwards to provide it.  I don't like the idea of other governments telling the French people what to think."


"Understood," the advisor said, beginning to walk away.  "I'll make sure the message is heard.  Quietly."

Pierre shook his head, and straightened his jacket.  International politics could be an ugly business.  Particularly when one had to put a kind face on things, as Pierre did.  And then he entered the press conference.

"Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen," Pierre started.  "I have but a brief statement before I will take a few questions.

"Recent days have brought several difficult and disturbing events in international affairs.  First, in China in what can only be called a prison break Canadian agents freed several Canadian prisoners, and possibly a pair of Americans.  Regrettably one Chinese officer lost his life during these events.  The government of the French Republic can not condone these actions, as they represent a violation of the sovereignty of an important nation and represent a saddening failure of dialogue and diplomacy.  In turn, the Chinese government has responded forcefully, with resolutions in the United Nations, demands for sanctions, and by freezing Canadian assets in China.

"The French Republic calls on both the People's Republic of China and Canada to exercise restraint and attempt to de-escalate this crisis through negotiation and discussion.  It is in the interests of no one to continue to escalate these problems.

"Second, the government of Romania has announced its intention to largely withdraw from international affairs.  The fact that this has included a repudiation of Romania's international financial obligations has caused turmoil in financial markets, and threatens serious economic harm to the Romanian people. Minister Perroy has previously spoken on this matter, I will not dwell on this further.

"Finally, but of perhaps the greatest concern to the people of France, is the continued war in Azerbaijan and in particular the announcement of the deployment of French forces to the fighting.  Understandably, there is some concern about the consequences and casualties which might be incurred by this action.  However, as a matter of national pride and national interest, this deployment is necessary.  My government has been talking much about this, and will continue to do so as necessary, from time to time.

"I will now take a few questions," Pierre concluded.

"Mr. President," the first reporter called on began.  "The Chinese have alleged that the Canadians have acted in a most offensive and aggressive manner.  The Chinese government believes the Canadian government represents a real and dangerous threat to the peace.  What do you have to say about that?"

"Well," Pierre turned to one side briefly in thought before smiling.  "As you may or may not know, several of my children have spent time at universities in the United States.  Indeed, one of them has remained there to work.  And they have learned many things about America and how Americans view the world from their time there.  And they have told me some of these things.  And from what they tell me, Americans, at least, would be very surprised if the people of Canada represented a real and dangerous threat to much of anything."

This last led to a good deal of laughter in the room, and lightened up the mood.  Pierre then continued.

"Now, I am not an American.  And while the recent actions of the Canadian government have been somewhat irresponsible, neither I nor my government believe that Canada is about to launch a war."

"Sir," the reporter pushed, asking a follow up question, shouting down the other reporters, "But what about the Chinese government's point that Canada has spent a good deal of resources in building up its military?  Doesn't that support their allegations?"

"I do not think so, no," Pierre said, putting his hands in his pockets.  "It is not at all unusual for a nation to upgrade and acquire new weapons or military technologies.  The Americans spend a not so small fortune to build and maintain an overpowering military force.  France itself is a not minor military spender.  Indeed, there has been, as you all know, some talk of a major modernization program.  Certainly the fact that our only aircraft carrier is in dry dock for refueling has sparked some thoughts in this regard.

"But most of all, I can not give due credence to such accusations from a government who are pushing a military buildup without parallel elsewhere in the world.  Whatever capabilities the Canadians have added are small compared to that which the Chinese military has been adding.  And that is the right of the Chinese government, just as it is the right of the Canadian government, even if it is something which can and quite apparently does cause concern in other nations.

"I think, thus, the Chinese government has made charges which are substantially overblown.  More to the point, they are not conducive to an easing of tension and the peaceful resolution of the serious problems between the People's Republic of China and Canada."

The reporter did not look quite satisfied, but it was someone else's turn.

"Mr. President, what does the French government plan to do about the situation between China and Canada," she asked.

"To be perfectly forward," Pierre said, gesturing with his arms, "not very much.  The French government, and I am sure the French people, do not like to see conflict erupt between members of the international community and so hope that the situation between the Chinese and Canadian governments is resolved peacefully.

"However, the French government views this as more or less a matter of bilateral relations between China and Canada.  Of course France maintains friendly relations with the Chinese government, and is a long time and dependable ally of Canada, but this simply makes it more desirable for there to be a peaceful and fair solution.  But, at least for now this is a matter for the Chinese and Canadians to resolve between themselves."

"What about American involvement," the reporter asked quickly.

"From what I understand there was no direct involvement," Pierre said.  "And even then, it is not a matter in which the French government is directly involved.

"I will take one more question, then I'm afraid I have to leave," Pierre said with a smile.

"Mr. President, about Romania.  Some members of Parliament have criticized your response to Romania's withdrawal from international affairs.  What do you say to such criticism?"

"Well," Pierre started, "without knowing which criticism exactly you mean, I would say that there is little I can do.  Of course, for supporters of the European Union and holders of Romanian securities the decision of the Romanian government is troubling and disappointing.  Yet, Romania remains a sovereign and independent state capable of making its own decisions.  The French government does wish that Romania had decided differently, and does have concerns about the Romanian economy and the issues that will arise for travelers from the mutual lack of embassies and consulates between Romania and the rest of the world.  But there is nothing that I or anyone else outside Romania can do to materially affect this decision, and so what will be will be."


ACTIONS:

1)  Quietly lean on the media:  if the Chinese PR effort isn't sufficiently balanced out with other points of view (e.g. the opposite ones), even if the Chinese are just buying ad time, the government will come down hard.

2)  To the Chinese:  China is in no position to talk about causing disruption to international affairs and trying to "acquire advanced weapons, training, and technologies", given China's actions with regard to North Korea and its own military modernization program.

3)  France will not support sanctions against Canada.  France views this as a bilateral issue between the People's Republic of China and Canada, and sees no reason to turn it into a multilateral issue.