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By Marie-Pascale Boisson
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Principality of Monaco. This commemoration gives us the opportunity to recall the links forged between our two countries since January16, 1995.
Despite our major differences, starting with the size of our territories, Monaco being the second smallest state in Europe, the geographical distance that separates us, and the strong socio-cultural differences inherited from our history, our two countries have been able to create a constructive and dynamic dialogue based on a relationship of trust and mutual respect in areas of shared interest.
The most significant diplomatic event in recent years was undoubtedly the state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019, the first-ever visit by a head of state of the People's Republic of China to the Principality, which has remained in the memory of the people of Monaco as an exceptional moment. This visit followed that of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco to China in 2018, after a first state visit in 2007.
Environmental issues are at the forefront of our shared concerns, as they represent one of the most complex and threatening challenges facing all countries today and in the future, whether large or small, rich or poor, influential or not.
Faced with this crucial issue for international diplomacy, Monaco and China share common concerns and strong commitments. As our two heads of state have respectively emphasized, we must find solutions for the survival of the planet and, by the same token, for the future of humanity. The continuity of multilateral dialogue and the contribution of bilateral exchanges are essential in the face of this immense task.
As members of the UN, both China and Monaco have chosen to sign up to major international instruments designed to combat the damaging effects of climate change, the erosion of biodiversity and all the pollution affecting ecosystems on earth, with a particular focus on the oceans and other aquatic environments.
However important and fundamental they may be, the effectiveness of these global policies is measured on the ground by concrete achievements. Bilateral cooperation can therefore prove to be a valuable support and an essential building block in the construction of concerted actions.
In this respect, Monaco and China have some convincing examples of success to their credit, through the implementation of joint projects linked to the preservation of biodiversity, so essential to maintaining the major balance of our planet. Planned over several years, two projects have brought together public and private sector entities from each of the two countries.
One of them has led to the creation of a priority conservation area in north-east China for the Amur tiger population, with the aim of protecting this emblematic species threatened with extinction. A second project involves a scientific study into the pollution of the waters of Lake Taihu, with a view to analyse the reasons for this and considering solutions. This project has recently been extended to include the preservation of the aquatic ecosystem of the Yangtze River.
Prince Albert II of Monaco views an exhibition of China's intangible cultural heritage before attending a welcoming banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, February 5, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]
Tsinghua University and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation have joined forces to set up another collaborative project, also in the cultural field, to award a scholarship to deserving students for their work in research and practice in ecology and environmental protection.
While these projects may seem like a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the issues at stake, they are no less effective in their area of intervention, and we all know that "small streams make big rivers!"
Other fruitful exchanges have taken place through the regular participation of senior representatives of the Chinese authorities in the Monaco Blue Initiative discussion platform. Every year in Monaco, this international forum brings together major ocean stakeholders to discuss the global challenges of conserving marine and aquatic environments and, more generally, ways of developing a real and sustainable blue economy. In 2025, Monaco will be organizing the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, in advance of the third UN Ocean Summit to be held in Nice in June and has cordially invited the Chinese authorities.
Sporting values are also among those shared by our two countries. Monaco has just been named "World Sports Capital 2025" by a European body, in recognition of its ongoing commitment to promoting sport. Despite the small size of its 2.08 square kilometers territory, Monaco is internationally renowned for organizing prestigious world sporting events every year. As a sports-oriented country, Monaco has always supported and applauded China's important work in the field of Olympics and Paralympics. Alongside delegations of Monegasque athletes, our head of state, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, was personally present in Beijing for both the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics.
In the economic exchange sector, after a sharp slowdown due to the global health crisis, Monaco has witnessed a resumption of business links between our entrepreneurs. The number of visitors to the Principality's Pavilion at the 7th China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November 2024 is a reasonable indication of a future increase in trade.
Finally, as culture is an emblematic sector for the Principality, this review would not be complete without mentioning the cultural links that have been marked over the years by exhibitions in Monaco or China, as in 2017 and 2018, showcasing our respective historical heritages, or by performances of the Compagnie nationale des Ballets or the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Other diplomatic, cultural, economic and sporting events will punctuate and celebrate the year 2025, to commemorate this important milestone and continue to shape bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect between our two states for the mutual benefit of our respective populations.
Marie-Pascale Boisson is Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the People's Republic of China.
