By Prof. Samitha Hettige

World famous Notre Dame Cathedral in France constructed in the 12^th & 13^th centuries was damaged by fire in April 2019. As part of the restoration effort scheduled to finish by Christmas 2024, a new spire is being reconstructed in workshops. Architects believe it will be identical to the original & a design competition was held to identify the new approaches. The design proposal named “Paris Heart Beat” of Chinese designers Cai Zeyu & Li Sibei had won the competition beating 226 designs from 56 countries & territories. The Notre Dame Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage & attracts millions of tourists each year (Ref. French media).

Sino-French transactions date back to the era where France occupied southern China, Vietnam & Cambodia etc. known as French Indochina. Even before the establishment of the Peoples Republic in 1949 (PRC), the Chinese Communist Party has been fighting to free southern China from the French. After the Chinese revolution (1949), when asked about the impact of the French revolution on the world, Chinese premier Zhu Enlai had reportedly stated that “it is too early to comment”. France & China enjoys veto power at UN & France is strong in the western camp. However, USA’s indo pacific approach exposed France to an unexpected set back when Australia scraped its submarine deal with France. Analysts believe it is as a result of a US move to control rising China. As mentioned Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed in the 12^th & 13^th Centuries. By 14^th Century, Great China traded with the world on the ancient Silk Road. With the Belt & Road Initiative (China’s 21^st century global trade network) China is still trading with France in an unprecedented way. During the COVID pandemic, the BRI trains kept France supplied with emergency medical needs. SL is part of the BRI & SL should use the existing tools & support of BRI partners to come out of the crisis at present.

De Gaulle’s tool

China launched the BRI with the trade surplus it accumulated with economic liberalization. China studied SL before opening its economy in 1979. 1978 constitution with the Executive President laid the foundation for SL to open its economy. That constitution is sometimes referred to as the “Gaullist” system in Asia. General Charles De Gaulle introduced a similar constitution in France after WWII. It remains & had taken France forward as a key player in the EU, G20 & NATO etc. Even though SL adopted a Gaullist system of government in 1978, it was only last week that a French President visited SL marking a first in the history. When General De Gaulle introduced political reforms, there have been many attempts to stop him. The movie “The Day of the Jackal” is about one such incident. French helped De Gaulle to make France win. Chinese helped Deng Xiaoping to make China win. Sri Lankans should not allow Jackals to defeat their country. The French telecommunication cable known as the SEA – ME –WE linked South East Asia with Western Europe through the Middle East. SL can be that link with the Belt & Road.

(Views expressed are personal)