The Play China Didn’t Want Strasbourg to See
When China’s consulate pressured a French theater to cancel the Taiwanese production “This Is Not an Embassy,” it proved the play’s point more vividly than any performance could.
China Media Group and BFM Business Co-produce Anniversary Program
Marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France on January 27, 2024, China Media Group (CMG) announced the launch of a special program co-produced with France’s BFM Business called “Brilliant Sixty Years: High-Level Dialogue on the 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations” (璀璨甲子 中法建交60周年高端對話). The program featured an interview with former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, with video remarks from Shen Haixiong (慎海雄), vice minister of the Central Propaganda Department and CMG president, and Lu Shaye (盧沙野), then-Chinese Ambassador to France. The pro-Beijing Hong Kong outlet Wen Wei Po described the collaboration as showcasing “the broad future of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.” The program was broadcast on BFM Business and CGTN French, serving China’s diplomatic messaging around the anniversary, and was also promoted on the nightly official news broadcast on CCTV.
