Self-reflection will certainly do France a world of good in these troubled times

Differences and disputes should always be settled through dialogue, not unilateral measures, for unilateral punitive measures invite a similar response from the opposing party. That's why China has always called for dialogue to resolve differences.

It is therefore good to learn that France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Sophie Primas will reportedly visit Shanghai from Sunday to Tuesday to meet with Chinese officials and seek the justification for China imposing anti-dumping duties on brandy imported from the European Union from early October, because most of the brandy comes from France.

China also launched anti-dumping probes into dairy products and pork imported from the EU almost at the same time, after the bloc voted to impose "anti-subsidy" tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on Chinese-made electric vehicles, above the existing 10 percent duty on imported cars, on Oct 4, ignoring China's strong opposition.