In Paris and Beijing simultaneous press conferences were held
Wednesday to mark the official launch of an exchange program
involving 800 students from France and China.
French Minister for Youth, Sports and Associations Jean-Francois
Lamour and Chinese ambassador to France Zhao Jinjun attended the
news conference in Paris.
Zhao said it was a great moment for Chinese-French ties. Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao and his French counterpart Dominique
de Villepin both sent congratulatory letters to those involved.
"The youth are the future of a country and carry the hopes of a
nation," Zhao said. He added that the unprecedented program was
evidence of the long-term friendship between the two countries and
hoped it would become a permanent scheme for such exchanges.
Lamour said the two countries had a tradition of cultural
exchanges such as the Chinese-French Culture Year. The program was
original and would help build ties between people, institutions and
companies.
During the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Paris on December
5, 2005 it was agreed to expand cooperation to promote youth
exchanges. This exchange program will see 400 French citizens
(18-35 years) visiting China in 2006 with the same number of
Chinese going to France in 2007.?
Between June 1 and November 30 this year several groups of
French artists, entrepreneurs, scientists and political leaders
will visit China for week-long visits.?
Each group will visit three or four Chinese cities such as
Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuhan. They will attend focus
meetings on subjects of common interest with Chinese students and
professionals.?
Representatives of the first 100 French artists, who are to
visit China in June, were eager to express their excitement about
the venture and their expectations for the trip at the news
conference.??
?
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2006)