The ruling left-wing party won none of the three elections held in France in 2014,while the extreme right party National Front achieved historical breakthrough. France was still battling through a deep economic crisis and the French government struggling with the three difficult issues of low growth,high unemployment and uncontrolled public finance. In order to reduce the financial deficit and satisfy the Maastricht criterion for the eurozone countries,France continued its welfare reforms especially on the household policy,unemployment benefits and health care system. France took active participation in the resolution of both the Ukraine crisis and the issues in the Middle East,especially in combating the ISIL. The year 2014 is the 50 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The two countries decided to expand bilateral cooperation on economy and trade and consolidate the economic foundation for the overall strategic partnership.
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