On The Establishment Of Diplomatic Relations Between China And France And Its Impact On The Bi-pole Power Structure

The global power structure following World War II was characterized by the confrontation of the two opposite poles: one led by the United States, and one by USSR. The two camps came to vie with each other, centering the cold war and counter cold war, containment and counter containment. Such period went all the way from the whole 1950s till early 1990s. The bi-pole context made China and France two different worlds, involved in the confrontation between the two great camps. When it came to the late 1950s and early 1960s, and split and recognition in international power pattern offered a chance of closer contact for the two countries. Early in the 1960s, the Sino-US confrontation still continued, followed by the break-off between China and USSR, which posed double threats to China' s safety. China was made to adjust its foreign policy to look for friends from the "medium belt" , so as to establish an international united front against USA and USSR. Meanwhile, De Gaul, after his return to office, challenged the leadership of USA, trying to get out of American control and maintain its national independence and sovereignty.Under such circumstances, China and France, both being influential members in their respective camps, reached consensus on a series of global issues. They overcame huge difference in ideology and political system and formally established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level on Jan.27, 1964. These happenings were closely connected with the growth of national strength of both sides, because after the development of more than a dozen years, both countries came to enjoy a better national defense, science and technology, and economy. Strength was the basis for foreign diplomacy. With the growth of strength, both adjusted their foreign policies, to make the best of themselves. In the same period, the USA and USSR were relatively on the downgrade. The strategic forces after the second world war,therefore, underwent some changes, giving rise to some other emerging powers under the general global power pattern dominated by USA and USSR. Though these new powers were no match for the two superpowers, their concerted effort would surely pose an impact on the old structure. The establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations indicated that the strategic goal of De Gaul to oppose the dictatorship of the two superpowers and their monopolization of world affairs and to seek the great nation status. On the other hand, China experienced the theory and practice of the "medium belt" theory. On world matters, China and France supported each other, and had close cooperation on global issues which were no longer easily manipulated by USA and USSR. Such impact on world power structure facilitated its evolution from the bi-pole pattern into the multi-polarization orientation.