The French diplomat was posted in three key embassies: Beijing (2011-2014), London (2014-2017), and Moscow (2017-2019). Author of an essay on the consequences of Brexit, “Goodbye Britannia,” published in January, she shares her vision here of the roles of China, the United Kingdom, and Russia in a world marked by the crisis of democracies and the pandemic.
The first female diplomat to be elevated to the rank of “ambassador of France” (a title conferred to a select number of diplomats), Sylvie Bermann came to the Échos Week-End editorial office to share some of her most powerful memories. These significant moments all say something about the world of 2021, engulfed by the consequences of the pandemic, Sino-American rivalry, the acceleration of technological progress, and the aftermath of Brexit.
China's unprecedented rise in just 30 years
For the past thirty years, China has been a unique example of rapid economic development, following a political transition that saw the end of Maoist China. In 1976, with the death of Mao Zedong, the Gang of Four was arrested, marking the end of an era. Universities, closed to the children of cadres, reopened their doors to train a new generation who are now in power. China has experienced a meteoric rise in thirty years, comparable to what other nations have achieved in three centuries.
For the past thirty years, China has been a unique example of rapid economic development, following a political transition that saw the end of Maoist China. In 1976, with the death of Mao Zedong, the Gang of Four was arrested, marking the end of an era. Universities, closed to the children of cadres, reopened their doors to train a new generation who are now in power. China has experienced a meteoric rise in thirty years, comparable to what other nations have achieved in three centuries.
The success of this economic development is illustrated by the city of Shenzhen, which has become China’s Silicon Valley. When I visited the city in 1979, it was just a field with two buildings under construction. The Chinese authorities presented the creation of a special economic zone that would be the next Hong Kong, which aroused skepticism. Thirty years later, the city is inhabited by 11 to 14 million people and has posted annual growth rates of up to 25%. The region is now the world’s laboratory rather than its factory: it’s Silicone Valley.
The United Kingdom, the challenge of Global Britain at the risk of Little England
The article extracted from les ÉCHOS focuses on three major events that have taken place in recent years in the UK: the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, the Brexit referendum in 2016 and season 4 of the series “The Crown” in 2020.
The first event, the Scottish independence referendum, was a major issue for then Prime Minister David Cameron, who mobilized business leaders to campaign against independence. Although the referendum failed in 2014, the UK faces a new threat of Scottish independence today.
The second event, the Brexit referendum, came as a surprise to many, including politicians, bookmakers and the media. The article points out that the frustrations of the population may have been misjudged, as well as the evolution of the political parties.
Finally, season 4 of the series “The Crown” brings to the fore the ghosts of the Diana affair and criticism of Prince Charles. The article also discusses Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan, which recalls the precedent of Edward VIII.
The article also discusses the personality of Boris Johnson, presented as an inveterate liar, but capable of showing solidarity during attacks and making himself sympathetic to the people.
In short, the article highlights the importance of recent events in the UK’s political and cultural history, as well as the challenges ahead for the country.
Russia, Europe's unavoidable neighbor
September 11-13, 2018, Sino-Russian meeting in Vladivostok
This article from Les Echos reports on the Sino-Russian meeting in Vladivostok during the Eastern Economic Forum, organized each year to encourage foreign investment in Russia’s Far East. Xi Jinping was guest of honor, and the forum illustrates the evolution of relations between China and Russia. The relationship is becoming a true partnership, with the West’s hostile sanctions against Russia prompting the latter to turn to China. The rapprochement is accompanied by cooperation in the military and space fields. The Russians would like to encourage the Chinese to invest in the Russian Far East, but the latter invest mainly in the western part of the country. However, Russia’s supposed fear of a Chinese invasion is unfounded. Vladivostok is a “totally white” Russian city, where people live in the same way as in Moscow, despite being a two-hour flight from Beijing. In short, China and Russia are continuing their rapprochement, despite Western fears.
August 19, 2019, Putin and Macron negotiate at Brégançon
Emmanuel Macron invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to his summer residence at Brégançon just before the G7 summit in Cannes. The two leaders discussed frozen conflicts, and Mr. Macron presented what he called a “program of trust and security”, asserting that crises cannot be resolved without negotiating with Russia. Mr. Macron has long believed in trying to “distance” relations between Moscow and Beijing, but this is unlikely to happen, even if Mr. Putin moves closer to Europe, as he is likely to keep both options open. The two presidents had a face-to-face meeting lasting several hours, followed by a long dinner, during which they seemed to get on well. They decided to hold a Normandy-format meeting (France-Germany-Russia-Ukraine) in Paris, where Putin met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time. The summit had positive effects, including prisoner exchanges and a ceasefire. In the West, Putin is perceived as a very cold character who never smiles, whereas in Russia he is known for his laughter and jokes.
January 17, 2021, Alexei Navalny returns to Moscow to be arrested
The Russian government’s handling of the Navalny affair has been described as disastrous.
Indeed, the activist had neither the support of the population, nor even of certain opponents who considered him too egocentric. In 2018, he refused to support Democratic candidates opposed to Putin, advocating abstention, which did not please the population. However, since he became a victim and had the courage to return to Russia, there have been more people on the streets than usual. However, this does not mean that Putin is about to be overthrown.
ussia remains a permanent member of the Security Council and the European Union’s largest neighbor, so it’s important to communicate with it. Indeed, General De Gaulle said during his visit to the Soviet Union in 1966: “It’s a visit from eternal France to eternal Russia.”
