French President Emmanuel Macron's high-stakes China visit kicked off today (December 3), with Lyon residents telling CGTN they're watching closer than ever. This fourth presidential trip comes as both nations navigate 2025's shifting global landscape 🌐.
💬 'Our countries are like long-distance pen pals who finally meet,' chuckled Claude, a Lyon local who previously worked in Shanghai. 'Every handshake between Macron and Chinese leaders means new opportunities for businesses and travelers.'
Several interviewees highlighted three key expectations:
🚂 Boosted green tech partnerships
🎨 Expanded cultural exchanges
✈️ Simplified travel procedures post-pandemic
While baguettes and bubble tea might seem worlds apart, Lyon's residents see Macron's current visit as crucial for maintaining what one student called 'the Franco-Chinese rhythm' – that special sync between historic allies navigating modern challenges.
