"The Dialogue of Ancient Capital Civilizations (Beijing-Paris)" Successfully Concluded in Paris
A dialogue of ancient capital civilizations (Beijing-Paris) between Chinese and French scholars was held in Beijing on May 7, with the aim of promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. The dialogue focused on "Human History" and "City of Habitation". On May 10, experts from Beijing and Paris continued their dialogue in Paris on the topics of "Olympic Cities" and "Creative Cities".
The dialogue was co-presided by Xiong Chengyu, Dean of School of Cultural Industries Management under the Communication University of China and Jean-Robert Marie PITTE, Vice President of the French Academy of Sciences and President of the Geographical Society of Paris. Chang Yu, Director of the University Affairs Committee of the Beijing International Studies University, and Mei Song, Vice President and General Secretary of the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation along with other experts and scholars from circles of sports, culture and arts of the two countries also attended the dialogue.
Jean-Robert Marie PITTE said during the event that on the great occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, President Xi made a successful state visit to Paris. The friendly relationship between China and France can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty and Louis XIV period. Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle took the groundbreaking step to establishment of the formal diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1964. Throughout history, there have been many disputes and differences among countries, but history also taught us that friendly dialogues are indispensable to countries. Differences and commonalities coexist between China and France. Beijing and Paris are political and cultural centers in their respective countries. The Beijing Central Axis and Paris Central Axis are also symbols of their respective cities. He hopes that the two countries can have deeper connections in various fields.
Mr. Ye Xingqian, a Chinese painter living in France, donated a huge oil painting entitled “Beijing Central Axis” to the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation. During the donation ceremony, Mr. Ye made an introduction to his understanding of Beijing Central Axis and the art skills he used in his painting.
After the donation ceremony, a dialogue on the topic of “Olympic City Dialogue” began, which was presided over by Chang Yu, Director of the School Affairs Committee of Beijing International Studies University. Chang Yu pointed out that it is of great significance for us to have the dialogue forum in Paris because this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and the Year of Culture and Tourism between China and France is ongoing and the 2024 Summer Olympics will open in Paris.. Beijing and Paris are both hosting cities of Olympic Games, and there will be more mutual understanding and cooperation on promoting the Olympic spirit.
Mr. Eric Monnin, Ambassador for the Promotion of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, Vice President and Director of the Olympic Research Center at the Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté in France, delivered a keynote speech on “The Olympic Values and Principles to be Spread at the 33rd Paris Olympic Games in 2024” during the dialogue.
Ms. Zhang Hong, the champion of the women’s 1000m speed skating in 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, member of the International Olympic Committee, and executive member of the Chinese Olympic Committee, delivered a keynote speech on “Passion and Legacy: The Embodiment of the Olympic Spirit in Beijing and Paris.”
Mr. Pascal Gentil, a renowned French athlete, Olympic Taekwondo medalist, and sports exchange ambassador between France and China, delivered a keynote speech on “sports diplomacy”.
Mr. Hou Kun, member of the Cultural and Olympic Heritage Committee of the International Olympic Committee, delivered a keynote speech on “Inheritors of the Olympic Spirit”.
Mr. Chiristohe Ait-Brahm, President of the International Olympic Collectors Association and member of the International Olympic Committee on Culture and Olympic Heritage, delivered a keynote speech on “How Are Cities and People Linked by Olympic Collections”.
Ms. Astrid Narguet, former French cultural counsellor to China, renowned French curator, co-director and co-founder of the Otto Museum in Rome, delivered a keynote speech on “Widespread Cultural Exchanges”.
Ms. Lin Shiling, a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Youth Leadership Program and a member of Marketing and Digital Communication Committee under the International Olympic Committee, delivered a keynote speech on “Innovation of Cultural Heritage of Cities and Sports.”
Mr. Yannick Podgorski, founding member of the Sino-French Friendship Club, a researcher on sports in China and France, and a doctoral candidate at Beijing Sport University, delivered a keynote speech on “Olympic Spirit: 1900-2024”.
Ms. Liu Yi, Secretary General of the Sino-French Foundation, delivered a keynote speech on “Beijing and Paris: A Dialogue Between the Olympic Cities, Inheriting the Olympic Spirit”.
Ms. Heloise Gentil, a sports expert on France and China, as well as a foreign expert from the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and the Winter Olympics Games, delivered a keynote speech on “the Legacy Left by the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the Host City”.
Mr. Qi Huaiyuan, a volunteer for the Beijing, Pyeongchang, and Sochi Winter Olympics, and an expert consultant for volunteer services at the Chengdu World University Games, delivered a keynote speech on “Olympic Heart: Cross-Cultural Communication and Cooperation between Beijing and Paris Volunteers”.
After the Olympic City Dialogue, Xiong Chengyu presented certificates to all guest speakers.
The “City of Creativity Dialogue” is hosted by Professor Xiong Chengyu. Professor Xiong said that Beijing and Paris are not only host cities of Olympic Games, but also creative cities. The current flow of creativity between the two cities is getting closer to life, and the dialogue on creativity is the dialogue between people and life.
Mr. Jean Robert Marie PITTE, Vice Dean of the French Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Paris Geographical Society, and Chairman of the French Food Heritage Committee, delivered a keynote speech on “Differences and Similarities in French and Chinese Cuisines”.
Mr. Laurent Petitgirard, a renowned composer, conductor, and executive secretary of the Beaux-arts College, delivered a keynote speech on “Beijing Paris: Two Cities with Artistic Influence”.
Ms. Sophie Tedeschi, a renowned French painter, gave a keynote speech on “Painting in the City”.
Mr. Ya Ding, President of the France-China Exchange Promotion Association, writer, translator, and recipient of Chevalier, the highest honorin France, delivered a keynote speech entitled “Creativity is the soul of ancient capital, and innovation is the foundation for carrying on the past and opening up the future”.
Dr. Li Jing, anartist, delivered a keynote speech on “The Mirror of Civilization: The Olympics of Love”.
Ms. Wang Zifei, founder and creative director of ZIFEI WANG, an independent designer brand, also one of China's top ten fashion designers , gave a keynote speech on "Soft Innovation in the Dialogue between the East and the West". Wang also showcased her clothing creations after the meeting.
Ms. Diao Jinuo, a young outstanding scholar from Communication University of China, delivered a keynote speech on “Beijing and Paris: Film and Television Cooperation andMutual Learning of Civilizations”.
Mr. Mei Song, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Beijing Central Axis Foundation, delivered a keynote speech on “Building a Creative City with International Influence”.
Mei said in his speech that we held two dialogue events in Beijing and Paris under the theme of "History, Contemporary, and Future: The Continuation and Sustainable Development of Ancient Capital Civilization", focusing on four academic discussion sections, namely the Dialogue on Humanities and History, the Dialogue on the City of Human Settlements, the Dialogue on the City of Olympics, and the Dialogue on the City of Creativity. Through the events, we have witnessed the deep exchange and collision of Chinese and French histories, cultures, sports, and art, and found how splendid the two ancient capitals are through the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations. We look forward to scholars and experts from the two ancient capitals of Beijing and Paris will continue the academic exchanges and promote the people-to-people bond between the two nations in the future. We also look forward to more communications and exchanges between the two ancient capitals by which we can better practice the Global Civilization Initiative and jointly advance the continuous progress of human civilizations.
The dialogue event was sponsored by the Communication University of China in collaboration withthe Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, and undertaken by the Cultural Development and Communication Research Institute of the Communication University of China.