Photo: Xinhua
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi Jinping will begin his visit on 5 May. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and is of great significance in building on past achievements and opening up new perspectives in bilateral relations.
The visit is part of the Sino-French Year of Culture and Tourism, which has already seen several cultural events in China and France, with more to follow, promoting mutual cultural appreciation between the two countries.
During Xi's last state visit to France in March 2019, Macron presented him with a copy of "Confucius or the Science of Princes", a manuscript published in 1688, and told him that early translations of Confucius' Analects inspired French thinkers Montesquieu and Voltaire.
After hearing Macron's description of the book, Xi Jinping said he would take the precious gift back to the Chinese National Library.
The book was subsequently sent to the National Library of China in the country of its intellectual origin.
Many Chinese and French people consider the ancient book as a testimony to the long tradition of cultural communication between China and France, as well as to the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of inter-civilizational exchanges.
Xi Jinping has on several occasions shown great interest in French culture, including its literature, philosophy and art.
Speaking in Paris in March 2014 to mark 50 years of Sino-French relations, Xi said: "Our two nations are fascinated by each other's distinctive cultures. Chinese culture has been greatly admired in France. The influence of Chinese culture can be found in the writings of French Enlightenment thinkers and in the interior decoration of Versailles."
For this reason, in my youth I took a keen interest in French culture, especially French history, philosophy, literature and art," Xi said in his speech.
He then remarked how the intellectuals of France had inspired him.
Reading Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Saint-Simon, Fourier and Sartre deepened his understanding of how the progress of the mind drives the progress of society, he said. And reading Montaigne, La Fontaine, Molière, Stendhal, Balzac, Hugo, Alexandre Dumas Sr. and Jr, George Sand, Flaubert, Maupassant and Romain Rolland helped him better appreciate life with all its joys and sorrows, he added.
During an informal meeting in April 2023, Xi and Macron listened to the ancient Chinese guqin masterpiece "The High Mountain and the Flowing Water" in a traditionally decorated hall in the Pine Garden, located in the southern Chinese capital of Guangzhou.
He explained to Si Macron the title of the ancient melody, noting that it was derived from the beautiful story of Yu Boi and Zhong Ziqi from ancient Chinese history and that it paid tribute to the close friendship between the pair. Only friends who share the same musical taste as Yu and Zhong can appreciate this song together, he said.
Towards the end of the meeting, Xi expressed his delight that he and Macron shared the same or similar views on Sino-French relations, China-EU relations and many international and regional issues, which, he said, demonstrated the high level and strategic nature of Sino-French relations. He said he hopes to maintain close strategic communication with Macron and elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
Macron thanked Xi for his hospitality and elaborate arrangements, saying that in addition to the friendly and profound exchange of views between the two leaders, he could also appreciate China's long history and beautiful culture, and noted that he had a better understanding of the concept of modern Chinese governance.
Culture has always been and will always be indispensable and important for Sino-French relations.
Ahead of his state visit to France in 2019, Xi Jinping wrote an article titled "China and France, together for common development", which was published in the French newspaper Le Figaro.
"I will bring goodwill towards France with me on this visit," the article said.
"This goodwill stems from the admiration of the Chinese people and mine for the wonderful history and culture and the unique charm that France offers," Xi Jinping wrote. He added that this goodwill is also inspired by how the two great cultures have engaged and illuminated each other.
As representatives of Eastern and Western culture, China and France celebrate a beautiful tradition of openness and inclusiveness, Xi Jinping wrote.
"I hope our two countries will make greater progress in cooperation in culture, tourism, education, sports and youth even at the sub-national level, and I hope our cooperation will play an exemplary role in promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and the West," Xi Jinping said.
Xinhua/gnews.cz-JaV_07
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