Before G-20, Sarkozy Says He Will Need Chinese Help

[Elmore Furth]

Source: NY Times

By KATRIN BENNHOLD
Published: November 4, 2010


PARIS — Just days before France was to assume the presidency of the Group of 20 leading economies, President Nicolas Sarkozy spared no effort Thursday in welcoming his Chinese counterpart for a carefully choreographed three-day state visit promoted as proof that Paris and Beijing were once again on the best of terms.

Two years after Mr. Sarkozy met the Dalai Lama and human rights protests upset the passage of the Olympic torch through Paris on its way to Beijing, creating a chill in diplomatic relations, President Hu Jintao of China was greeted by Mr. Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, at the airport and then escorted by Republican Guards on horseback.

The two leaders were signing billions of euros in contracts involving leading French companies like Areva, Alcatel and Airbus. With a second signing ceremony planned for Friday morning, the overall price tag of the transactions is uncertain, but French officials said it would be the largest single agreement reached between China and a European leader.

Mr. Sarkozy, whose approval ratings at home hover at all-time lows following a month of protest against pension reform, is banking on his year-long G-20 presidency, starting Nov. 13, to bolster his standing with disillusioned voters ahead of the 2012 presidential election.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/world/europe/05france.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[Drale]

1. Is it sad

that I feel China has a better chance at giving its people full civil rights then the republicans do?