Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from teachers and students of the Chinese language class at an international school in France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, extending his best wishes to them and all the faculty and students of the school.

Xi Jinping noted that the Chinese language carries with it the 5,000-year Chinese civilization, and its square characters embody great wisdom of history. Learning Chinese offers a window into both the ancient and modern China, and builds a bridge toward a brighter future for China and France.

Xi Jinping stressed that young people from France, and more broadly Europe, are welcome to China for studies, exchanges and sightseeing, where they can see and experience firsthand a true, multi-dimensional, open, and progressive China. He expressed the hope that the Chinese language can be their lifelong friend.

Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The horse symbolizes resilience, courage, and progress. He expressed the hope that the students can be at the forefront of promoting friendship and cooperation between China and France, and more broadly with Europe, and play a key role in this endeavor.

Representatives of the teachers and students of the Chinese language class at the international school in France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region recently wrote to President Xi Jinping, sharing their experience in learning the Chinese language and love for the Chinese culture, and expressing their keen interest in enhancing youth exchanges and deepening the traditional friendship between China and France.