Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and French Minister Delegate for Europe Jean-Noel Barrot have pledged to deepen people-to-people exchanges between their nations during a high-level meeting in Paris, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations as 2024 concludes the successful China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
At the 7th China-France high-level dialogue on cultural exchanges, Wang highlighted achievements including over 6,000 French students participating in Chinese exchange programs and collaborative projects on carbon neutrality and heritage preservation. "These initiatives demonstrate the vitality of our civilizational dialogue," said Wang, emphasizing the mechanism\u2019s role in fostering mutual understanding since its inception.
A Vision for the Future
With 2024 ushering in a new 60-year cycle for diplomatic relations, Wang proposed four key measures: expanding youth engagement, enhancing local government cooperation, streamlining travel processes, and prioritizing innovation in education and culture. Barrot echoed the sentiment, stating Franco-Chinese exchanges "provide a foundation to address global challenges" while committing to open collaboration in science and education.
The meeting concluded with a joint statement reaffirming both nations\u2019 commitment to setting a global example for cross-cultural partnership.
