Peking University, February 20, 2023:French Ambassador to China Laurent Bili and Minister Counsellor for Culture, Education and Scientific Affairs Nicolas Pillerel paid a visit to Peking University (PKU) on February 14, during which they were warmly received by Hao Ping, PKU’s council chair, and Wang Bo, vice president and provost of PKU, at Linhuxuan.

Hao Ping welcomed Ambassador Bili to Peking University and expressed his gratitude for Bili’s support in promoting cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries during his term of office. In recent years, Peking University has established positive relations with multiple French universities and research institutions under the China-France High Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, further adding to the development of multi-disciplinary and multi-level cooperation projects.

This year has been designated as PKU Global Engagement Year, Hao Ping highlighted. In order to strengthen international relationships, he wished to take this opportunity to promote cooperation in areas including faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and many more.

Ambassador Bili said that during his term, both Peking University and China at large left an excellent impression on him. With education being one of the bases of cooperation, France-China relations are growing to become one of the most important bilateral relations for France. During the post-pandemic era, the resumption and expansion of international exchanges, especially among young people, are greatly significant in promoting the understanding between countries and are capable of building new types of international relationships.

Post-meeting g roup photo

After the meeting, Ambassador Bili and his delegation visited the Yenching Academy of Peking University and spoke with the students. Dong Qiang, dean of Yenching Academy, Vice Dean Fan Shiming, Zhou Mang, dean of the French Department, and Li Yun, director of the Office of International Relations, accompanied the meeting.