Right now, France is China’s second largest technology provider, the third largest investor and the fourth largest trading partner. Bilateral trade volume between France and China reached $ billion in 2005, increasing by 22.5 percent, with growth of import and export both above 20 percent. In recent years, the two countries have had fruitful cooperation in aviation, energy and environmental protection fields.
Many well-known French companies including Veoliaenvironment, Alcatel Group, Michelin Group, Renault Group, Carrefour, Group Danone and Lafarge Group have business operations in China. Accordingly, many French financial institutions are looking for opportunities to cooperate with Chinese counterparts. Large inflow of European capitals provided capital and technology support for sustained and fast economic development in China.