“In some key areas, we absolutely have to reduce our dependence on China,” French Defense Minister Florence Parly said March 17 during a hearing before the French Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Military Affairs Committee.
In her remarks that day, Paley told senators that the first threat France must combat is terrorism. She noted that France is facing new areas of confrontation including cyberspace, undersea, and information warfare. Geopolitically, she also stressed that Russia is one of France’s main strategic competitors. Paley said, “Very close to us, on the northern and eastern flanks of Europe, Russia has been developing counter strategies for several years in order to control the immediate environment.” She added, “Russia’s demonstration of power is increasing exponentially as its military capabilities are updated. Russia has also established itself as one of our main strategic competitors in the southern Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa, where it is seeking to secure its stronghold and does not hesitate to challenge our operations and the French model, relying on non-state actors and disinformation operations.”
Paley spoke of China advancing its position to become the world’s No. 1 power. Last but not least, she said, “China is advancing its position. China is doing everything possible on a global scale to achieve its goal of becoming the world’s number one power by 2049: on the Silk Road, in the Indo-Pacific, in Africa, in the Arctic and even in our overseas territories, China is investing and expanding its influence. China no longer hesitates to impose its own value system and defies international rules, especially those governing freedom of navigation in the air and at sea.” She suggested that “in certain key areas, we absolutely have to reduce our dependence on China.”
Paley said, “Compared to 2019, our imports from China have increased by 4.5 percent, particularly in the medical and electronics sectors. That speaks volumes about our dependence on China, and we must reduce our dependence on China, particularly in areas that I think are critical. I can give you examples of our dependence on imports from China of key minerals, rare earths, which are essential for our defense materials to make everything from Rafale fighter jets to Drones, including telecommunications equipment and mobile batteries for our soldiers.”
In addition, Paley stressed that the Mediterranean will never be a lawless region. As an example, she cited an unprecedented exercise conducted by French forces in the Mediterranean on March 13 in which terrorists were envisioned taking control of a merchant vessel. She also stressed that France needs a stronger European force with its feet on the ground.
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