French ambassador to China visits Xiamen

The French ambassador to China, Jean-Maurice Ripert, recently led a delegation to visit Xiamen, Fujian province.

Pei Jinjia, secretary of the leading Party members group of Xiamen Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee, met with the French delegation on Nov 23.

Pei briefed them on Xiamen's basic economic and social development.

He said that Xiamen has maintained close contact with France and both sides boast broad cooperation opportunities against the background of the comprehensive strategic partnership between France and China.

Ripert was impressed by Xiamen's pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, and sound business environment.

He said that Xiamen and France share much common ground in marine research, culture, art, and educational training, which may become an important part of their future exchanges.

Ripert added that the French embassy in China attaches great importance to Xiamen's role in promoting the two countries' exchanges and cooperation and it will continue advancing communications between Xiamen and France in various fields.

During their stay in the city, the delegation members also attended the opening ceremony of the 2018 Jimei Arles International Photo Festival in the city's Jimei district on Nov 23.

The Jimei Arles International Photo Festival was started by French photographer and curator Sam Stourdzé and Chinese photographer Rong Rong four years ago, bringing the largest scale photography festival in Europe, Rencontres d'Arles, to the city and making it a model of cultural cooperation between the two countries.