On the afternoon of May 14, the lecture "Encounter, Understanding, and Love: A Dialogue on 60 Years of Sino-French Friendship", part of the Mutual Learning Series, was successfully held at the Lee Tsung-Dao Lecture Hall, hosted by the Paris Elite Institute of Technology (SPEIT) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The event featured a keynote dialogue between two distinguished guests: renowned French sinologist and Distinguished Professor at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations, Joël Bellassen, and Xu Bo, a prominent promoter of Sino-French cultural exchange and President of the Wu Jianmin Foundation in France.

Attendees included Olivier Perez, Head of Campus France Shanghai; Zhu Xiaowei, Principal of Guangming High School; Sun Ying, Vice Principal; Jin Qixin, Principal of Descartes High School; and Chen Cailian, Chinese Dean of SPEIT. The event was moderated by Chu Yunyi, President of the Student Union of SPEIT.

The event began with an opening speech by Professor Chen Cailian, Chinese Dean of SPEIT. She warmly welcomed the two guests and noted that this year marks the 61st anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations, as well as a full six-decade journey of friendship between the two nations. As the theme suggests, from "encounter" to "understanding," and ultimately to "love," the peoples of China and France have forged a profound bond through mutual exchange over the past half-century. She also reviewed the historical development of Sino-French relations and emphasized the significance of cultural exchange in the new era.

Professor Joël Bellassen and Mr. Xu Bo engaged in a cross-temporal, in-depth dialogue with the audience, exploring the historical context and contemporary practices of Sino-French cultural exchange from the perspectives of a "scholar" and a "practitioner," respectively.

Professor Bellassen, drawing on his extensive sinological research and personal experiences, traced the historical roots of Sino-French cultural exchange, from 17th-century French missionaries' studies of the Chinese language to the flourishing development of Chinese language education in France. He vividly illustrated the crucial role of language as a cultural bridge, stating, "In the accidental lies the inevitable." It is the profound resonance between the two nations in culture, language, and thought that has allowed Sino-French friendship to endure and thrive.

Mr. Xu Bo, from the perspective of diplomacy and cultural exchange, shared his personal experiences in the development of Sino-French relations. He recalled the spectacular sight of the Eiffel Tower turning "Chinese red" during the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Sino-French Gala Dinner he organized in 2024, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of cultural exchange. He encouraged young students to step beyond borders, immerse themselves in different cultures, and become "bridges" of cross-civilizational dialogue through language.

The two guests also exchanged insights on language learning. Professor Bellassen introduced his unique "character-based" teaching method for Chinese and explained the charm of Chinese expression through vivid examples. Mr. Xu Bo, sharing his own journey of learning French, encouraged students to overcome challenges and embrace the boundless possibilities language offers. They agreed that language is not merely a tool for communication but a key to understanding and mutual respect.

This dialogue was not only a cross-cultural intellectual exchange but also a vivid lesson in humanities. It allowed the audience to deeply appreciate the emotional resonance and shared responsibility between China and France in mutual learning, inspiring them to carry forward the torch of friendship and tell China’s stories well in the new 

The event concluded in a warm and moving atmosphere. As the two guests expressed in their closing remarks: "May the spirit of Sino-French friendship endure, and may the youth of both nations join hands to write a new chapter for a shared human future."