On May 11, 2023 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang inaugurated the China House (Maison de la Chine) of the International City of Universities in Paris (Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, CIPU), and had cordial communication with overseas Chinese students and French students.

Qin Gang said that the founding purpose of the CIPU is to encourage exchanges between youths from different countries, and promote world peace, and now it has become a veritable epitome of a diverse world. Qin Gang expressed the confidence that after the China House comes into use, it will inject new vitality to this “small world” where diverse cultures are deeply integrated. At a time when the future and destiny of all countries are closely linked, only when different cultures and different civilizations co-exist inclusively can peaceful development be truly realized. One of the important contents of the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping is respecting the diversity of world civilizations.

Qin Gang said that youths are the fresh driving forces of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, builders of close people-to-people bonds, and successors of China-France relations. Chinese students should bear in mind the motherland, have a global vision, present a good image of China in the new era, better tell China’s stories in the new era, and pass on China-France friendship in the new era. French students are welcome to learn the Chinese language, understand the Chinese culture, and contribute more to the development of China-France relations. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in France will continue to care for and help overseas Chinese students in France.

All overseas students present expressed their readiness to study hard and serve as bridges and bonds for the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France.