China and France Strengthen People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and co-chairman of the 7th meeting of the China-France High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met on Friday to discuss deepening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The meeting comes as China and France mark the beginning of the next 60 years of bilateral relations. Wang Yi emphasized the importance of promoting a community with a shared future for mankind and establishing a model of civilizational exchanges between China and Europe and around the world.

Key Takeaways:

• Over the past year, China and France have accelerated cooperation in various fields, achieving rich results, including the success of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, which has seen hundreds of events held and more than 6,000 French students visiting China for exchanges and studies.
• The two sides have initiated thematic events, such as on carbon neutrality, preservation and restoration of cultural relics, or health care, demonstrating the viability of cultural and humanitarian exchanges between the two countries.
• Against the backdrop of a changing international situation, the two ministers advocated for the importance of humanitarian exchanges in promoting calm and cooperation in addressing global challenges.
• Wang Yi made four proposals to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, including strengthening youth exchanges, developing cooperation at the subnational level, promoting travel facilitation, and maintaining a partnership driven by innovation.
• The China-France high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism has actively promoted cultural exchanges between the two countries and greatly deepened mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Statistics:

• Over 6,000 French students have visited China for exchanges and studies as part of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.
• Hundreds of events have been held as part of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.
• The goal is to increase the number of French students studying in China to more than 10,000 in the next three years.

Sources:

• Xinhua, "China, France should continuously deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges: Chinese minister" (July 5, 2023)
• People's Republic of China, "Wang Yi Meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot" (July 5, 2023)
• State Council News, Paris, "China, France should continuously deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges: Chinese minister" (July 5, 2023)