A French national of Vietnamese descent, the EU's former ambassador to the World Trade Organisation knows China well, having negotiated its WTO entry. He is also co-founder of the EU-China Forum.
Financially China could rescue the eurozone with its US$3 trillion in foreign exchange reserves, as it eyes to protect its exports market, even if it has to face public opposition at home. However, the former EU ambassador concedes that China will not lift a finger until the Greek crisis is resolved.
This said, Europe needs to trust China if it wants to build a durable alliance with Beijing, Trân Van Thinh added.
Like in the story of the Little Prince, a friend needs to be tamed before it can become a true friend, he continued.
“Remember the story: What it means to 'tame'? said the little prince. It is an act too often neglected, said the fox. It means 'to create links ... if you tame me, then we shall need each other ... if you want a friend, tame me ...'," Trân Van Thin said, citing Antoine Saint-Exupery’s best-known book.
According to the former EU ambassador, taming others is not something that the United States knows how to do. Besides “we should not forget that those who undermine the eurozone are nothing else than those who operate Wall Street and the City, without forgetting the role played by the Anglo-Saxon media,” he added.
'World cannot dance without Europe'
“It is undoubtedly sure that the world cannot dance without Europe, but Europe cannot carry the weight of global affairs. I see the United States of Europe with the United States of America, but frankly I see a better fit with China,” said the diplomat.
However, if Europe has to put its house in order, China needs too as currently it risks being “a time bomb,” with its gigantic internal disparities.
“While Tibetan monks immolate themselves against repression, and as new waves of global protests appear, it is not impossible that a growing number of Chinese could recognise themselves in the cause of the Indignados,” Trân Van Thinh said.
The former ambassador argued in favour of China’s reconciliation process with its neighbors, especially with Japan.
By doing so China could ease slowly into a more inclusive participation in global economic governance without losing its face.
“Europe has managed to be a laboratory for reconciliation between French and Germans and then between Polish and Germans,” said Trân Van Thinh, stressing China can learn from Europe.
Paul Van Thinh was speaking to Daniela Vincenti and Christophe Leclercq.
To read the full interview in French, please click here.
