1 Introduction

Emphasis was placed on the profound cultural heritage and long history of cultural exchanges between China and France, pointing out the achievements made by the two countries in cultural exchanges over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, including the establishment of institutional foundations, deepening of friendship, mutual understanding of people, and injection of vitality into the times. The importance and uniqueness of cultural exchanges between China and France have become increasingly prominent in the changing international situation, with the two countries continuously strengthening their exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as education, science, and culture. The 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France in 2024 and the Year of Culture and Tourism provide a new platform for people to people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The relaxation of visa policies has also promoted people to people exchanges. The head of state diplomacy has played a demonstrative role in enhancing people to people exchanges between the two countries. The article will analyze the achievements of cultural exchanges between China and France from three aspects: communication motivation, achievements, and prospects. It will focus on exploring cooperation in the fields of technology and education, reflecting on existing problems, and looking forward to future opportunities and challenges.

The spirit of China and France is the cornerstone of cultural exchange

Emphasizing the three main driving forces of cultural exchanges between China and France: independence, mutual understanding, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. The spirit of China France is reflected in the cooperation between the two countries in international affairs, the manifestation of cultural diversity, and the leadership of cultural diplomacy by the heads of state. As a "soft power" in Sino French relations, cultural exchanges can open up opportunities during trade tensions, enhance mutual understanding, and ensure stable relations. The cultural exchange between China and France has a long history, with strong cultural commonalities and complementarity, and practical and efficient cooperation among the people. The establishment of the 2014 Sino French High Level Cultural Exchange Mechanism provides institutional guarantees for cultural exchanges. Cultural exchanges between China and France promote economic and trade cooperation, expand cooperation areas, enhance product or brand awareness, and drive product sales and trade cooperation. The cultural exchanges between China and France deepen mutual trust and reliance, serving as a model for China's relations with Western powers and providing reference for such relations.

Remarkable achievements in 60 years of cultural exchange

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago, significant achievements have been made in the field of cultural exchanges, reflected in the visit of the Beijing Opera Art Troupe to France, the performance of Moliere's plays in China, the popularity of Sophie Marceau and Gong Li, and the music exchange between Clayderman and Lang Lang. Cultural exchanges have undergone a transformation from one-way exports from France to China to comprehensive two-way exchanges. After the establishment of the comprehensive partnership between China and France in 1997, cultural exchanges became more balanced and promoted mutual understanding. Technological exchange is the core of cultural exchange between China and France. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have made breakthrough progress in basic research, engineering technology, aerospace, biomedicine and other fields. The Sino French Joint Committee on Science and Technology is responsible for inspecting and exploring scientific and technological exchanges, determining cooperation areas and projects. The 15th Joint Committee in 2024 further deepened cooperation in key areas such as climate change, environment, and healthy aging. Mathematics is the cornerstone of Sino French technological cooperation, and the two countries have a long history of exchanges in the field of mathematics. In recent years, China's leading role in Sino French scientific and technological cooperation has become increasingly prominent, especially in fields such as nuclear power technology, international nuclear fusion experimental reactor, deep space exploration, and new energy technology. In terms of educational exchanges, China and France have a long history of youth education exchanges. The governments of the two countries attach great importance to it and strive to build exchange platforms to promote mutual understanding, trust, and friendship among the younger generation. The total number of Sino French student exchanges remains stable, with China being the third largest source country for French international students. The cooperation between the two countries in the field of language education has achieved fruitful results. The development of French teaching in Chinese primary and secondary schools is promising, with over 160 French majors in universities and significant progress in public French teaching in universities. The Chinese language teaching in France has also made significant breakthroughs, with the number of people learning Chinese growing rapidly. The Sino French educational exchange activities demonstrate the determination of the two countries to strengthen youth exchanges, provide valuable opportunities for the younger generation to personally experience each other's social and cultural experiences, promote deep exchanges and mutual understanding between the youth of the two countries, and lay a solid foundation for inheriting the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Looking ahead to the future, challenges and opportunities coexist

China France people to people and cultural exchanges have great potential in scientific and technological cooperation and youth education, but they also face challenges such as the strategic game between China and the United States, the COVID-19, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. France is restricted by the United States in terms of scientific and technological cooperation with China, and personnel exchanges between China and France are limited. The Russia-Ukraine conflict affects Sino French exchanges. The economic downturn in France has led to conservative policies and the rise of extreme right-wing xenophobia, which has disrupted cultural exchanges between China and France. In the face of challenges, China and France should strengthen coordination and communication, enhance political mutual trust, and consolidate the concept of a multipolar world. Language learning, mutual learning of civilizations, and educational exchanges should be long-term priorities, and communication and cooperation platforms should be expanded. On global understanding and governance issues, China and France can speak out for sustainable development through international organization cooperation and multilateral forums, promote world peace through cross-border projects, international conferences, and other means, and consolidate consensus on a community with a shared future for mankind. China and France should adhere to the development of cultural and people to people exchanges, promote mutual understanding, and reject politicization and instrumentalization. We should attach importance to the role of the people, promote independent exchanges, innovate ways and carriers of exchanges, and use the Internet and new media to expand youth participation. Finally, China and France, as well as China and Europe, should strengthen economic reciprocity, deepen cooperation, seek complementarity, open up new spaces, and benefit enterprises from both countries. Cultural exchanges should emphasize the independence and self-reliance of the two countries, not being influenced by the United States, encourage France to weigh the importance of Sino French relations based on its own interests, and refuse to be involved in confrontations that do not conform to its own interests.

5 Conclusion

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, especially since the 21st century, remarkable achievements have been made in people to people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, which have become an important pillar of bilateral relations. The spirit of China France provides impetus for cultural exchanges, and the series of activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations have yielded fruitful results. Faced with the complex and ever-changing international situation and challenges, as long as we adhere to the spirit of establishing diplomatic relations, leverage the advantages of cultural exchanges, strengthen scientific and technological cooperation and youth exchanges, cultural exchanges between China and France will continue to promote the deepening development of bilateral relations.