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France seeks to mend Olympic torch relay wounds

Article published on the 2008-04-21 Latest update 2008-08-06 14:15 TU

Police arrest a protestor during the Olympic torch relay in Paris. 7 April 2008.(Photo : Reuters)

Police arrest a protestor during the Olympic torch relay in Paris. 7 April 2008.
(Photo : Reuters)

Protests against France and French interests in China have been growing ever since the Olympic torch's relay through Paris was disrupted by violent protests. President Nicolas Sarkozy began the diplomatic counter-offensive Monday with a letter apologising to a wheelchair-bound Chinese athlete who was forced to protect the flame from pro-Tibetan protestors in the French capital.

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The president of the French Senate, Christian Poncelet, delivered the letter with a kiss to Chinese fencer Jin Jing in Shanghai Monday, condemning the poor welcome she received in Paris.

 

Poncelet read Sarkozy’s letter aloud. 

 

“I was shocked to see what happened during the torch relay,” it said. “It is understandable that the Chinese people feel hurt. I hereby strongly condemn what they did.”

 

Anti-French sentiment has soared in China’s state-run media since the Olympic torch passed through Paris. Monday saw thousands protesting in nine cities around China. Over the weekend, thousands of protesters gathered outside of many French-owned Carrefour outlets in China and succeeded in shutting down three on Saturday.

 

The anti-Carrefour protesters carried signs reading "Oppose Tibet independence" and "Boycott Carrefour".

 

Carrefour ran a message in all major Chinese dailies, denying any support for Tibetan independence. “These rumours are groundless, Carrefour has never directly or indirectly provided support for political or religious activities,” the message quotes board chairman Jose Luis Duran as saying.

 

The apology letter is the latest chapter in an ever-changing stance toward the Olympics, China and Tibetan human rights in Paris. Sarkozy has not ruled out his absence at the opening ceremonies in Beijing, though earlier calls for dialogue with the Dalai Lama have been toned down.

 

France announced Sunday that former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will be going to Beijing later this week.