French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (right) shakes hands with Beijing Language and Culture University President Duan Peng on Thursday in Beijing. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot visited Beijing Language and Culture University on Thursday, inspecting the Sino-French Cultural Exchange Space construction site and delivered a speech to more than 200 students.
BLCU President Duan Peng said the university has educated over 6,000 French students, making it a leading institution in China for training French and international students.
With overseas campuses in Japan, Thailand, and Kazakhstan, the university has so far nurtured 300,000 international students from 189 countries and regions, including over 80 vice-premier or higher level foreign officials and 300 foreign ambassadors, Duan said.
He highlighted the achievements of the Beijing French Alliance, a partnership between BLCU and the Alliance Française in Paris since 1998, has played a crucial role in promoting Sino-French cultural exchanges.
Additionally, the university has also deepened its cooperation with Clermont School of Business, planning to establish Clermont Language Science and Industry Institute, BLCU, in Hainan province.
On Thursday, Jean-Noel Barrot signs the introduction board of the Sino-French Cultural Exchange Space that will be completed soon at BLCU. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
Barrot said his visit aimed to expand two-way trade, enrich cultural exchanges, and foster people-to-people friendship. He praised BLCU's role in promoting Sino-French cultural exchanges and commended the university's contributions to educating French students and diplomats.
He expressed hopes for closer cooperation between BLCU and Clermont Business School, encouraging further exchanges between higher education institutes in both countries.
When delivering a speech to students and faculty, Barrot expressed hopes that BLCU would continue to inspire future ambassadors and foreign ministers among its Chinese and French students. He also discussed deepening Sino-French friendship, promoting global cooperation to tackle challenges, and enhancing educational collaboration.
Duan said Barrot's visit is a testament to the strong support for Sino-French educational cooperation. BLCU students will foster Sino-French friendship through the Sino-French Cultural Exchange Space, promoting mutual support among youth from both nations, he said.
The exchange space is scheduled to inaugurate soon in Beijing.
Jean-Noel Barrot delivers a speech at the university on Thursday. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
Jean-Noel Barrot shakes hands with students at BLCU on Thursday. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
On Thursday, French students at BLCU give a warm welcome to Jean-Noel Barrot. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
