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Sarkozy bid to assuage Chinese feelings

— Photo: Xinhua

Mending fences: French Senate President Christian Poncelet presenting a bouquet to Chinese torch bearer Jin Jing in Shanghai on Monday.

SHANGHAI: Visiting French Senate President Christian Poncelet met Chinese torch bearer Jin Jing in Shanghai on Monday.

Mr. Poncelet conveyed President Nicolas Sarkozy’s sympathy to Ms. Jin, a wheelchair-bound fencer who was attacked during the Olympics torch relay in Paris.

“I would like to express to you my deep feeling towards the way you were shoved in Paris on April 7 when you were holding the Olympic flame. You showed an outstanding courage, which honours you, and [through you] all your country,” Mr. Sarkozy was quoted as saying in the letter.On April 7, the torch relay in Paris was interrupted many times. The most notable incident was that several supporters of “Tibetan independence” rushed towards Ms. Jin and tried to snatch the torch.

“I understand that the Chinese people’s feelings were hurt by what went on that day, and especially by the intolerable attack you suffered and which I condemn with the utmost force,” Mr. Sarkozy’s wrote.

“What happened in Paris on April 7 has engendered a feeling of bitterness in your country. I want to assure you that the incidents that were brought about by a few people on this sad day don’t reflect the feelings of my fellow countrymen for the Chinese people.” Mr. Sarkozy also invited Ms. Jin to come to France as his personal and French people’s guest, to erase that “painful moment.”

Mr. Poncelet’s special visit was made amid China’s growing anger with France mainly due to the disruption of the torch relay by Tibetan secessionists.

He told reporters that to call on Ms. Jin is the shared wish of all his delegation members, coming from various parties of France and representing all the French people. Regarding his trip as at a sensitive moment, Mr. Poncelet said the French people were astonished by the attack on Ms. Jin, which not only hurt the Chinese but also the French.

“To protect the torch is what every Chinese and every athlete is ready to do. When I joined the torch relay in Paris, I not only passed on the Olympic flame, but also the Chinese people’s friendship with the French,” said a smiling Jin. She said she was very glad to be invited by Mr. Sarkozy and hoped to contribute her own efforts to cementing the Sino-France friendship. — Xinhua

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