How To Say China In French

Learning how to say country names in different languages can be fun and useful. If you’re interested in how to say “China” in French, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re studying French or planning a trip, knowing the right words will help you communicate better. In this article, we will explore how to say “China” in French, along with different ways to refer to it and some useful responses.

Understanding how to say “China” in French and other related phrases can improve your confidence when speaking the language. It’s also interesting to learn how languages can have different ways of referring to the same thing. So, let’s dive into how French speakers talk about this large and culturally rich country!

Ways to say “China” in French

There are a few ways to say “China” in French, depending on the context. Below are the most common ways to refer to China in French. Each entry includes pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences to help you understand when and how to use them.

1. La Chine

Pronunciation: /la sheen/
Meaning: This is the most common and formal way to say China in French. It is used in general conversations, geography, and formal writing.
In a Sentence:

“J’aimerais visiter la Chine un jour.” (I would like to visit China one day.)
“La Chine est un pays avec une grande histoire.” (China is a country with a rich history.)

2. La République Populaire de Chine

Pronunciation: /la ray-pub-leek poh-pyoo-lair duh sheen/
Meaning: This is the official name for China, translating to “The People’s Republic of China.” It is used in political or formal discussions.
In a Sentence:

“Nous avons discuté des relations entre la République Populaire de Chine et les États-Unis.” (We discussed relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States.)
“La République Populaire de Chine a adopté des réformes économiques importantes.” (The People’s Republic of China adopted important economic reforms.)

3. L’Empire du Milieu

Pronunciation: /le-om-peer doo mee-lieu/
Meaning: This phrase translates to “The Middle Empire” and is an older, poetic term referring to China. It emphasizes China’s central place in its own worldview.
In a Sentence:

“Dans l’histoire, l’Empire du Milieu était une civilisation avancée.” (In history, The Middle Empire was an advanced civilization.)
“Beaucoup de légendes proviennent de l’Empire du Milieu.” (Many legends come from The Middle Empire.)

4. Le pays du dragon

Pronunciation: /luh pay-ee doo dra-gon/
Meaning: This phrase translates to “The country of the dragon,” referring to the symbol of the dragon in Chinese culture, which represents power and strength.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine est souvent appelée le pays du dragon en raison de sa culture ancienne.” (China is often called the country of the dragon because of its ancient culture.)
“Les traditions du pays du dragon sont fascinantes.” (The traditions of the country of the dragon are fascinating.)

5. La grande Chine

Pronunciation: /la grahnd sheen/
Meaning: This term, which translates to “The Great China,” refers to the idea of a unified or vast China, often used in historical or cultural discussions.
In a Sentence:

“Les dynasties de la grande Chine ont laissé un impact durable.” (The dynasties of Great China left a lasting impact.)
“La grande Chine a une longue histoire d’innovations.” (Great China has a long history of innovations.)

6. Le dragon asiatique

Pronunciation: /luh dra-gon ah-zee-at-eek/
Meaning: This phrase, “The Asian dragon,” is often used to refer to China in the context of its economic growth and global power in Asia.
In a Sentence:

“Le dragon asiatique a une influence mondiale.” (The Asian dragon has global influence.)
“Le dragon asiatique a connu un développement rapide au 21e siècle.” (The Asian dragon experienced rapid development in the 21st century.)

7. Chine populaire

Pronunciation: /sheen poh-pyoo-lair/
Meaning: This term means “People’s China” and is a shortened form of “La République Populaire de Chine.” It is less formal but still used in news and media.
In a Sentence:

“Le gouvernement de la Chine populaire a adopté de nouvelles lois.” (The government of People’s China has adopted new laws.)
“Chine populaire est un acteur majeur sur la scène mondiale.” (People’s China is a major player on the world stage.)

8. Le pays de la soie

Pronunciation: /luh pay-ee duh lah swah/
Meaning: “The country of silk,” referring to China’s ancient role in the silk trade.
In a Sentence:

“Le pays de la soie a une longue histoire dans le commerce de la soie.” (The country of silk has a long history in the silk trade.)
“Les tissus du pays de la soie sont très célèbres.” (The fabrics from the country of silk are very famous.)

9. La terre du dragon

Pronunciation: /lah ter doo dra-gon/
Meaning: “The land of the dragon,” another poetic reference to China, emphasizing its cultural significance.
In a Sentence:

“Les mythes et légendes viennent de la terre du dragon.” (Myths and legends come from the land of the dragon.)
“Les montagnes sacrées se trouvent en la terre du dragon.” (The sacred mountains are found in the land of the dragon.)

10. Le pays du renminbi

Pronunciation: /luh pay-ee doo ren-meen-bee/
Meaning: Refers to China in relation to its official currency, the renminbi.
In a Sentence:

“Les échanges commerciaux avec le pays du renminbi sont en croissance.” (Trade with the country of the renminbi is growing.)
“Le pays du renminbi a une influence sur l’économie mondiale.” (The country of the renminbi has an influence on the global economy.)

11. La Chine impériale

Pronunciation: /lah sheen am-peer-ee-al/
Meaning: Referring to China’s imperial past, this term highlights its dynastic history.
In a Sentence:

“Les artefacts de la Chine impériale sont précieux.” (Artifacts from imperial China are precious.)
“L’architecture de la Chine impériale est magnifique.” (The architecture of imperial China is magnificent.)

12. Le grand dragon

Pronunciation: /luh grahnd dra-gon/
Meaning: Another phrase emphasizing China’s symbolic dragon, which represents power.
In a Sentence:

“Le grand dragon a une influence sur l’économie mondiale.” (The great dragon has an influence on the world economy.)
“Il existe une légende sur le grand dragon.” (There is a legend about the great dragon.)

13. La Chine moderne

Pronunciation: /lah sheen mo-dairn/
Meaning: Refers to modern-day China, focusing on its economic and technological advancements.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine moderne est un leader dans la technologie.” (Modern China is a leader in technology.)
“Nous devons apprendre des réussites de la Chine moderne.” (We should learn from the successes of modern China.)

14. Le pays des pandas

Pronunciation: /luh pay-ee day pan-dah/
Meaning: Refers to China in connection with the famous giant panda, which is a national symbol.
In a Sentence:

“Les pandas géants vivent dans le pays des pandas.” (Giant pandas live in the country of pandas.)
“Le pays des pandas protège ses animaux rares.” (The country of pandas protects its rare animals.)

15. L’Empire Céleste

Pronunciation: /lay om-peer seh-lest/
Meaning: “The Celestial Empire,” a historical term used to refer to China, symbolizing its grandeur and ancient civilization.
In a Sentence:

“Autrefois, la Chine était appelée l’Empire Céleste.” (In the past, China was called the Celestial Empire.)
“Les traditions de l’Empire Céleste sont toujours vénérées.” (The traditions of the Celestial Empire are still revered.)

16. La Chine rouge

Pronunciation: /lah sheen roozh/
Meaning: Refers to China under communist rule, often used in political discussions.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine rouge a connu de grands changements politiques.” (Red China has undergone significant political changes.)
“Les événements en la Chine rouge ont marqué l’histoire.” (Events in Red China marked history.)

17. Le pays de Confucius

Pronunciation: /luh pay-ee duh kohn-fyu-see-uhs/
Meaning: Refers to China in relation to the teachings of Confucius, who had a major influence on Chinese philosophy.
In a Sentence:

“Le pays de Confucius a une riche tradition philosophique.” (The country of Confucius has a rich philosophical tradition.)
“Les idées de Confucius sont encore étudiées en le pays de Confucius.” (Confucius’ ideas are still studied in the country of Confucius.)

18. Le dragon rouge

Pronunciation: /luh dra-gon roozh/
Meaning: “The Red Dragon,” a nickname for China, referring to its communist government and the symbolism of the red color.
In a Sentence:

“Le dragon rouge est devenu un acteur majeur sur la scène internationale.” (The Red Dragon has become a major player on the international stage.)
“Le dragon rouge est souvent associé à la croissance économique rapide.” (The Red Dragon is often associated with rapid economic growth.)

19. La Chine populaire et libre

Pronunciation: /lah sheen poh-pyoo-lair eh leeb-ruh/
Meaning: Refers to China in a political context, particularly in discussions about its governance and freedoms.
In a Sentence:

“Les droits de l’homme sont un sujet de discussion en la Chine populaire et libre.” (Human rights are a topic of discussion in People’s and Free China.)
“La Chine populaire et libre a des défis à relever.” (People’s and Free China faces challenges.)

20. La civilisation chinoise

Pronunciation: /lah see-vih-lee-za-syon shee-nwahz/
Meaning: Refers to the ancient and modern culture of China as a whole.
In a Sentence:

“Nous avons étudié la civilisation chinoise en cours d’histoire.” (We studied Chinese civilization in history class.)
“La civilisation chinoise a contribué à l’évolution de la culture mondiale.” (Chinese civilization contributed to the development of world culture.)

21. La Chine impériale du sud

Pronunciation: /lah sheen am-peer-ee-al doo sud/
Meaning: Refers to the southern part of ancient China, particularly during the time of the divided Chinese empire.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine impériale du sud a joué un rôle important dans les échanges commerciaux.” (The Southern Imperial China played an important role in trade.)
“Les dynasties du sud de la Chine impériale sont fascinantes.” (The southern dynasties of Imperial China are fascinating.)

22. La Chine des dynasties

Pronunciation: /lah sheen day dee-nah-stee/
Meaning: Refers to China during its dynastic eras, such as the Qin, Tang, or Ming dynasties.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine des dynasties a construit la Grande Muraille.” (Dynastic China built the Great Wall.)
“Les artefacts de la Chine des dynasties sont précieux.” (Artifacts from Dynastic China are valuable.)

23. La Chine communiste

Pronunciation: /lah sheen koh-mew-neest/
Meaning: Refers to China under its current communist government.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine communiste a connu des réformes économiques.” (Communist China has undergone economic reforms.)
“La Chine communiste est un leader mondial dans plusieurs domaines.” (Communist China is a global leader in many areas.)

24. Le pays de la grande muraille

Pronunciation: /luh pay-ee duh lah grahnd moo-rah-ee/
Meaning: Refers to China in connection with the Great Wall, one of its most famous landmarks.
In a Sentence:

“Le pays de la grande muraille est rempli d’histoire.” (The country of the Great Wall is filled with history.)
“Je veux visiter le pays de la grande muraille un jour.” (I want to visit the country of the Great Wall one day.)

25. Le géant asiatique

Pronunciation: /luh zhee-ahn ah-zee-at-eek/
Meaning: “The Asian giant,” a term used to describe China’s large geographical size and influence in Asia.
In a Sentence:

“Le géant asiatique joue un rôle important dans les affaires mondiales.” (The Asian giant plays an important role in global affairs.)
“Le géant asiatique a une population énorme.” (The Asian giant has an enormous population.)

Other ways to say “China” in French

Here are additional ways to refer to China in French, presented in a markdown table format for easy reference. Each phrase includes pronunciation, meaning, and an example sentence for better understanding.

Other ways to say	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentences
Le pays du matin calme	/luh pay-ee doo mah-tan kalm/	“The Land of the Morning Calm,” often used in comparison to China in some cultural contexts.	“Même si la Chine est puissante, le pays du matin calme est également reconnu pour sa paix.” (Even though China is powerful, the Land of the Morning Calm is also known for its peace.)
L’Empire du dragon	/lay om-peer doo dra-gon/	Refers to China’s historical role and the symbol of the dragon.	“L’Empire du dragon a dominé une grande partie de l’Asie.” (The Empire of the Dragon ruled much of Asia.)
La nation des dragons	/lah nah-syon day dra-gon/	Another poetic term emphasizing the dragon as a symbol of China’s strength and cultural identity.	“La nation des dragons a un rôle majeur en Asie.” (The nation of dragons plays a major role in Asia.)
Le pays des anciens empereurs	/luh pay-ee day ahn-syen em-pehr-uhr/	Refers to China’s ancient dynastic past, emphasizing the powerful emperors.	“Les monuments de le pays des anciens empereurs sont fascinants.” (The monuments of the country of ancient emperors are fascinating.)
La perle de l’Asie	/lah perl duh lah-zee/	“The pearl of Asia,” highlighting China’s beauty and importance in the region.	“Les paysages de la perle de l’Asie sont incroyables.” (The landscapes of the pearl of Asia are amazing.)
La terre des pandas géants	/lah ter day pan-dah zhee-ahnt/	Refers to China in relation to the famous giant pandas.	“La terre des pandas géants est protégée par des réserves naturelles.” (The land of the giant pandas is protected by nature reserves.)
Le pays du dragon oriental	/luh pay-ee doo dra-gon oh-ree-an-tal/	“The country of the Eastern dragon,” emphasizing China’s role in Eastern Asia and its cultural power.	“Les légendes du pays du dragon oriental remontent à des siècles.” (Legends of the country of the Eastern dragon go back centuries.)
L’État du dragon	/lay-ta doo dra-gon/	“The state of the dragon,” referencing China’s national symbol and its global influence.	“L’État du dragon a un impact sur l’économie mondiale.” (The state of the dragon has an impact on the global economy.)
La grande civilisation chinoise	/lah grahnd see-vih-lee-za-syon shee-nwahz/	Refers to China as a whole, emphasizing its ancient and rich civilization.	“Les traditions de la grande civilisation chinoise sont préservées.” (The traditions of the great Chinese civilization are preserved.)
La Chine éternelle	/lah sheen eh-tehr-nell/	“Eternal China,” focusing on the idea of China’s lasting influence and endurance.	“La Chine éternelle a traversé de nombreux changements.” (Eternal China has gone through many changes.)
Le dragon de l’Orient	/luh dra-gon duh lor-yont/	Refers to China’s cultural and political influence in the Eastern part of the world.	“Le dragon de l’Orient est une force à reconnaître.” (The dragon of the Orient is a force to be reckoned with.)
La puissance de l’Asie	/lah pwee-sahnss duh lah-zee/	“The power of Asia,” emphasizing China’s economic and political strength.	“La puissance de l’Asie est représentée par la Chine.” (The power of Asia is represented by China.)
Le pays de la philosophie	/luh pay-ee duh lah fee-loh-sof-ee/	Refers to China as the land of philosophical thought, especially Confucianism.	“La philosophie chinoise influence encore beaucoup de gens dans le pays de la philosophie.” (Chinese philosophy still influences many people in the country of philosophy.)
La grande muraille de Chine	/lah grahnd moo-rah-ee duh sheen/	Referring to China through the iconic Great Wall, one of the world’s most famous landmarks.	“La grande muraille de Chine est un site touristique populaire.” (The Great Wall of China is a popular tourist site.)
Le dragon géant de l’Asie	/luh dra-gon zhee-ahnt duh lah-zee/	Referring to China’s massive size and influence, often used in economic contexts.	“Le dragon géant de l’Asie exerce une grande influence sur le marché mondial.” (The giant dragon of Asia exerts great influence on the global market.)
Le cœur de l’Asie	/luh kuhr duh lah-zee/	“The heart of Asia,” emphasizing China’s central role in Asian geopolitics and culture.	“Les innovations technologiques viennent souvent du cœur de l’Asie.” (Technological innovations often come from the heart of Asia.)
L’empire du dragon du soleil levant	/lay om-peer doo dra-gon doo so-lay lah-van/	“The Empire of the Dragon of the Rising Sun,” referring to China’s historical and cultural significance.	“L’histoire de l’empire du dragon du soleil levant est fascinante.” (The history of the Empire of the Dragon of the Rising Sun is fascinating.)
Le pays des rizières	/luh pay-ee day ree-zee-air/	Refers to China in connection to its agricultural landscape, especially its rice fields.	“Les rizières de Chine sont un paysage emblématique.” (The rice fields of China are an iconic landscape.)
La Chine antique	/lah sheen ahn-teek/	Refers to ancient China, often in historical or archaeological discussions.	“Les artefacts de la Chine antique sont exposés au musée.” (Artifacts from ancient China are displayed at the museum.)
Le dragon rouge d’Asie	/luh dra-gon roozh dah-zee/	A reference to the Chinese dragon and the red flag, symbolizing both tradition and political power.	“Le dragon rouge d’Asie est un symbole de force.” (The red dragon of Asia is a symbol of strength.)

Response to “China” in French

When someone mentions “China” in French, there are several ways to respond depending on the context of the conversation. Whether it’s a general discussion, a question, or an expression of interest, knowing the appropriate responses will help you sound natural and fluent in French. Below are some common responses you might hear or use when talking about China.

1. C’est un pays fascinant !

Pronunciation: /seh uh pay-ee fah-see-nahn/
Meaning: “It’s a fascinating country!”
This is a general expression of admiration when discussing China’s rich history, culture, and global influence.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine a une longue histoire.” (“It’s a fascinating country!“)
“J’aimerais visiter ce pays un jour.” (“It’s a fascinating country!“)

2. Oui, la Chine a une culture très ancienne.

Pronunciation: /wee, lah sheen ah oon kool-toor tray ahn-syen/
Meaning: “Yes, China has a very ancient culture.”
This response emphasizes China’s historical and cultural significance, especially when the conversation touches on Chinese history or traditions.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine est très différente des autres pays.” (“Yes, China has a very ancient culture.“)
“Les traditions chinoises sont fascinantes.” (“Yes, China has a very ancient culture.“)

3. La Chine est un acteur clé sur la scène mondiale.

Pronunciation: /lah sheen eh uh ak-teur klay sur lah sen mon-dee-al/
Meaning: “China is a key player on the world stage.”
This response highlights China’s importance in global politics, economics, and culture.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine est un acteur important pour l’économie mondiale.” (“China is a key player on the world stage.“)
“Elle a une grande influence dans le commerce international.” (“It has a big influence in international trade.”)

4. J’ai toujours voulu visiter la Chine.

Pronunciation: /zhay too-zhour voo-loo vee-zee-tey lah sheen/
Meaning: “I’ve always wanted to visit China.”
A common response when someone expresses an interest in China, especially if the conversation touches on travel or tourism.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine a tellement de beaux paysages.” (“I’ve always wanted to visit China.“)
“Je veux voir la Grande Muraille.” (“I want to see the Great Wall.”)

5. C’est un pays avec une longue histoire.

Pronunciation: /seh uh pay-ee ah-vek oon long ees-toh-ree-ah/
Meaning: “It’s a country with a long history.”
This response is used to acknowledge the deep historical roots of China, often when discussing its ancient civilizations or dynasties.
In a Sentence:

“Les dynasties chinoises ont façonné la culture de la Chine.” (“It’s a country with a long history.“)
“L’histoire de la Chine remonte à des milliers d’années.” (“The history of China goes back thousands of years.”)

6. Oui, la Chine a beaucoup de sites historiques.

Pronunciation: /wee, lah sheen ah boh-koo duh seet ee-stwah-reek/
Meaning: “Yes, China has many historical sites.”
This response emphasizes China’s famous landmarks and ancient structures, like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army.
In a Sentence:

“La Cité interdite à Pékin est incroyable.” (“Yes, China has many historical sites.“)
“Il y a aussi les montagnes sacrées en Chine.” (“There are also the sacred mountains in China.”)

7. La cuisine chinoise est délicieuse.

Pronunciation: /lah kwee-zeen shee-nwahz eh day-lee-syu/
Meaning: “Chinese cuisine is delicious.”
A response commonly used in a conversation about food or culture, focusing on the famous Chinese culinary traditions.
In a Sentence:

“J’adore les plats comme le canard laqué.” (“Chinese cuisine is delicious.“)
“La cuisine de Sichuan est très épicée.” (“Sichuan cuisine is very spicy.”)

8. La Chine a une grande influence économique.

Pronunciation: /lah sheen ah oon grahnd ee-nfloo-ahns eh-ko-no-mee-k/
Meaning: “China has a large economic influence.”
This response is suitable when discussing China’s role in the global economy, trade, or industry.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine est le plus grand exportateur de produits manufacturés.” (“China has a large economic influence.“)
“Elle est le principal fournisseur de nombreuses industries.” (“It is the main supplier for many industries.”)

9. Le dragon chinois est symbolique de la puissance du pays.

Pronunciation: /luh dra-gon shee-nwah eh sahm-boh-leek duh lah pwee-sahnss doo pay-ee/
Meaning: “The Chinese dragon is symbolic of the country’s power.”
This response refers to the cultural symbol of the dragon, often used to describe China’s strength.
In a Sentence:

“Le dragon chinois apparaît dans de nombreuses œuvres d’art.” (“The Chinese dragon is symbolic of the country’s power.“)
“Les festivals du Nouvel An chinois honorent le dragon.” (“Chinese New Year festivals honor the dragon.”)

10. La Chine est un pays très diversifié.

Pronunciation: /lah sheen eh uh pay-ee tray dee-ver-see-fyay/
Meaning: “China is a very diverse country.”
This response highlights China’s cultural, linguistic, and geographical diversity.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine possède de nombreuses ethnies et langues différentes.” (“China is a very diverse country.“)
“Les régions de Chine varient beaucoup en termes de culture et de paysage.” (“China’s regions vary greatly in terms of culture and landscape.”)

11. C’est un pays avec beaucoup de contrastes.

Pronunciation: /seh uh pay-ee ah-vek boh-koo duh kohn-trahst/
Meaning: “It’s a country with many contrasts.”
This response emphasizes the contrast between China’s modern cities and ancient traditions.
In a Sentence:

“Pékin et Shanghai sont des villes modernes.” (“It’s a country with many contrasts.“)
“Les campagnes chinoises sont très différentes des grandes métropoles.” (“The Chinese countryside is very different from the large metropolises.”)

12. La Chine est un centre de production mondiale.

Pronunciation: /lah sheen eh uh sontr duh proh-dook-syon mon-dee-al/
Meaning: “China is a center of global production.”
This response is related to China’s role as the “world’s factory,” where many goods are manufactured.
In a Sentence:

“La Chine fabrique une grande partie des produits que nous utilisons.” (“China is a center of global production.“)
“Les usines en Chine produisent des biens pour le monde entier.” (“Factories in China produce goods for the entire world.”)

Exercise to practice saying “China” in French

Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises using the different ways to say “China” in French. Each sentence is written in French, and you will have to choose the correct phrase to complete it. After the exercise, you’ll find the answers along with their meanings. These exercises will help you practice and remember different ways to talk about China in French.

Fill in the blanks

J’ai toujours rêvé de visiter ___________ pour voir la Grande Muraille.
___________ est un pays avec une histoire qui remonte à des milliers d’années.
___________ est un acteur majeur dans l’économie mondiale.
La culture de ___________ est très influente, surtout en Asie.
___________ est souvent appelé le “pays du dragon”.
___________ a une grande diversité géographique et culturelle.
Les pandas vivent principalement à ___________.
___________ a beaucoup de sites historiques comme la Cité Interdite.
___________ est le pays d’origine de nombreuses inventions anciennes.
___________ est un pays où la cuisine est très populaire dans le monde entier.
___________ a une influence croissante dans la politique internationale.
___________ est souvent décrit comme un géant asiatique.

Answers

La Chine – (China) “I’ve always dreamed of visiting China to see the Great Wall.”
La Chine antique – (Ancient China) “Ancient China is a country with a history that dates back thousands of years.”
La Chine – (China) “China is a major player in the global economy.”
La Chine – (China) “China’s culture is very influential, especially in Asia.”
Le pays du dragon – (The country of the dragon) “The country of the dragon is often referred to as such.”
La Chine – (China) “China has great geographical and cultural diversity.”
Le pays des pandas géants – (The land of the giant pandas) “Giant pandas live mainly in the land of the giant pandas.”
La Chine – (China) “China has many historical sites like the Forbidden City.”
La Chine – (China) “China is the country of origin of many ancient inventions.”
La Chine – (China) “China is a country where the cuisine is very popular worldwide.”
La Chine – (China) “China has a growing influence in international politics.”
Le géant asiatique – (The Asian giant) “The Asian giant is often described as such.”

Conclusion

Learning how to say “China” in French can enhance your language skills and help you understand the country’s rich history, culture, and global influence. In this article, we’ve explored different ways to refer to China, from its official name, “La Chine,” to poetic expressions like “L’Empire du Milieu” and “Le pays du dragon.” Each expression offers a unique perspective on China, whether you’re talking about its ancient history, its economic power, or its cultural symbols.

By practicing these phrases and responses, you’ll be able to discuss China more confidently in French, whether you’re talking about travel, history, or even Chinese food. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find it easier to navigate conversations about China in French!