dynamics

Sino-French Cultural Exchange Meeting Held in Paris

On July 4, 2025, in Paris, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and China's Foreign Minister, co-hosted the 7th meeting of the Sino-French High-Level Cultural Exchange Mechanism with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrow. This meeting is a pivotal continuation of efforts initiated during President Xi Jinping's historic visit to France in May 2024, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and defined future cooperation.

Wang Yi highlighted the consensus reached by both nations to deepen cultural exchanges and promote mutual understanding among their peoples. The past year has seen significant developments: the successful Year of Cultural Tourism resulted in numerous events and the participation of over 6,000 French students in exchanges in China. Themes of carbon neutrality, cultural heritage restoration, and health medicine were prominently featured, showcasing the dynamic cultural engagement between the two nations.

In light of current global challenges, Wang emphasized the necessity of cultural exchanges as a means to foster understanding and cooperation amidst increasing international turmoil. He articulated the importance of China and France not only as independent nations but also as representatives of significant civilizations, advocating for continued cultural collaboration to inspire human advancement.

Wang Yi outlined four key priorities to advance Sino-French relations: firstly, enhancing youth exchanges through initiatives such as the '10,000 in 3 years' program, which focuses on sending young ambassadors and researchers to each other's countries. Secondly, fostering local cooperation by revitalizing ties between mayors and organizing high-level forums on local governance.

Thirdly, he emphasized the importance of facilitating personnel movement, urging France to streamline visa processes for Chinese citizens while encouraging more French citizens to explore China. Finally, Wang urged for innovation in collaboration by establishing a Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Center to lead in green development efforts and convene forums to further educational ties.

Minister Barrow echoed Wang's sentiments, acknowledging the significant contributions of cultural exchanges in reinforcing both nations' bilateral relations and in addressing global issues. He reaffirmed France's commitment to enhancing cooperation with China across education, culture, and scientific research, thereby fostering sustainable partnerships.

The meeting culminated in the issuance of a Joint Statement, which reinforced commitments to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including language education and youth exchanges. The two nations advocated for a balanced educational exchange, aiming to increase student mobility and cooperation between higher education institutions.

Cultural cooperation continues to flourish, with plans for future projects in science and technology, health, sports, and women's rights advocated for both countries. The successful partnerships established between French and Chinese institutions in these areas are crucial for long-lasting relations and are integral to ongoing cultural heritage initiatives.

Both parties are keen to promote arts and media exchanges, acknowledging the recent agreements in film and television collaboration as significant steps towards enhancing cultural dialogues. They recognized the impact of sports events, like the recent Winter Olympics, on mutual understanding between the two peoples.

This meeting not only reviews past successes but also sets a robust framework for future cooperation in an effort to enrich and deepen the cultural relationship between China and France in their shared global context.