On July 4, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot co-chaired the seventh meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges in Paris.

Wang Yi said that in May last year, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to France to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and chart the course for the next 60 years of China-France relations. Both sides agreed to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples and speed up "two-way" people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Over the past year, guided by the common understandings reached between the two heads of state, China and France have stepped up coordination and cooperation across various fields, achieving fruitful results. The China-France Year of Culture and Tourism was a complete success. Hundreds of activities were held, and more than 6,000 French students traveled to China for exchanges and study. The two countries carried out a series of themed events on carbon neutrality, preservation and restoration of cultural relics, and health and medicine. These substantial outcomes fully demonstrate the vibrancy and dynamism of China-France people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Wang Yi stated that amid the evolving international situation intertwined with turmoil, the more conflict-ridden the times become, the greater we need the subtle but powerful influence of people-to-people exchanges; the more chaotic the world is, the more joint efforts are needed to dispel confusion and chart the right course. As major representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, China and France both have long histories and splendid cultures. Chinese and French civilizations, each shining in its own way yet together radiating even greater beauty, jointly contribute wisdom and inspiration to human progress. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France is not only a handshake between two independent major countries but also an intersection of two great civilizations. The China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges has actively promoted people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and effectively enhanced mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples. This year opens up the second 60 years of China-France relations and marks the start of the second decade of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges. Both sides should follow the common understandings reached between the two heads of state, uphold the principles of independence, mutual understanding, strategic vision, and win-win cooperation which underpinned the establishment of diplomatic relations and continuously deepen China-France people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to set a model for civilizational exchanges between China and Europe as well as across the world and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, strengthen youth exchanges. The two sides should fully implement the initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, namely increasing the total number of French students in China to more than 10,000 in the next three years and make good use of exchange programs concerning the China-France young leaders, internships for 1,000 participants, scientific research partners, and outstanding young scientific researchers.

Second, deepen sub-national cooperation. The two sides should innovate forms of exchange and cooperation, reactivate sister-city ties, continue to organize the China-France roundtable of mayors, and resume the high-level forum on sub-national government cooperation as soon as possible.

Third, facilitate cross-border travel. China welcomes more French people to join the "China craze" and visit China, and hopes that France will further facilitate visa applications for Chinese citizens to the country, creating more convenient conditions for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Fourth, maintain an innovation-driven partnership. The two sides should vigorously support the building of the China-France Carbon Neutrality Center to advance green and low-carbon development in both countries, hold the second China-France Educational Development Forum, and strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation to jointly build an open, inclusive and beautiful world.

Jean-Noël Barrot said that rich and fruitful people-to-people and cultural exchanges between France and China have become a valuable asset for both countries, providing strong support for the robust bilateral relationship and helping the two countries tackle global challenges together. France will continue to uphold an open and future-oriented spirit and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in education, culture, scientific research, youth, film, and at the subnational level to forge a close, high-quality, and sustainable partnership.

Members of the mechanisms in education, culture, tourism, sports, science and technology, and health from both sides attended the meeting.

After the meeting, the two sides issued the Joint Statement of the Seventh Meeting of the China-France High-Level Dialogue Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges.