Simultaneous press conferences were held Wednesday in Paris and Beijing to mark the official launch of the exchange program of 800 students between 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 that it was a great event in the Chinese-French ties. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin both sent congratulatory letters to the program.
"The youth are the future of a country and the hope of a nation, " Zhao said, noting that the unprecedented program marked a long- term friendship between the two country and hoping that it would be the beginning of a permanent scheme for youth's exchanges.
Lamour said that China and France have the tradition in cultural exchanges, such as the Chinese-French Culture Year. The program is original and helps multiply ties between people, institutions and companies.
During the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Paris on Dec. 5, 2005, it was agreed to expand cooperation to promote exchanges between young French and Chinese. Under this exchange program, 400 young French citizens (18-35 years) will go to China in 2006 at the invitation of the Chinese authorities, and 400 young Chinese will come to France in 2007 at the invitation of the French government.
From June 1 to November 30, several groups of young French artists, entrepreneurs, members of civil society, scientists political leaders will go to China for a week-long visit organized by the Chinese side.
Each group will visit three or four Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuhan. They will attend focus meetings on subjects of mutual interest with young Chinese and professionals in each sector.
Representatives of the first 100 French young artists who are to visit China in June were all eager to express at the news conference their great joy and expectations for the travel.
