In Paris and Beijing simultaneous press conferences were held Wednesday to mark the official launch of an exchange program involving 800 students from France and China.

French Minister for Youth, Sports and Associations Jean-Francois Lamour and Chinese ambassador to France Zhao Jinjun attended the news conference in Paris.

Zhao said it was a great moment for Chinese-French ties. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin both sent congratulatory letters to those involved.

"The youth are the future of a country and carry the hopes of a nation," Zhao said. He added that the unprecedented program was evidence of the long-term friendship between the two countries and hoped it would become a permanent scheme for such exchanges.

Lamour said the two countries had a tradition of cultural exchanges such as the Chinese-French Culture Year. The program was original and would help build ties between people, institutions and companies.

During the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Paris on December 5, 2005 it was agreed to expand cooperation to promote youth exchanges. This exchange program will see 400 French citizens (18-35 years) visiting China in 2006 with the same number of Chinese going to France in 2007. 

Between June 1 and November 30 this year several groups of French artists, entrepreneurs, scientists and political leaders will visit China for week-long visits. 

Each group will visit three or four Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuhan. They will attend focus meetings on subjects of common interest with Chinese students and professionals. 

Representatives of the first 100 French artists, who are to visit China in June, were eager to express their excitement about the venture and their expectations for the trip at the news conference.  
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2006)