France China Foundation | 2016 Edition of the Young Leaders Program in Zhengzhou and Beijing
The France China Foundation (FCF), along with its partner the Chinese People Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), held the 4th session of its Young Leaders Program in Zhengzhou and Beijing on September 16-19, 2016. 40 French and Chinese talented young professionals were selected to participate in the 4-day seminar, representing a diverse range of sectors – including lawyers, entrepreneurs, investors, media professionals, artists, but also a Michelin-starred chef, a navy commander, a physician, etc. The program design included discussion sessions on the theme of “Heritage and Innovation”, as well as cultural and industrial visits and informal activities, giving birth to a fruitful exchange of new ideas and lasting friendships.
Cédric Villani, the French Mathematician and Fields Medal winner, was invited to join the trip, delivering several speeches and sharing insights during the discussion sessions. The other guest speakers included Fred Raillard, Fred & Farid CEO, and Tang Haisong, CEO of Elite Education Group China, both alumni of the Young Leaders Program.
The first part of the program took place in Henan Province, the 5th largest provincial economy in China boasting 100 million inhabitants and regarded as the cradle of Chinese culture. A visit at Zhengzhou International Landport, the starting point of the Zhengzhou-Hambourg railway, and Zhengdong New District was a testimony to the tremendous development of the province, also highlighted in an official meeting by the vice-secretary of the party of Henan, M. Deng Kai.
A memorable part of the journey was the day spent in world-famous Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism and Shaolin martial arts, also a UNESCO’s World Cultural & Natural Heritage site. After a discussion with Shaolin abbot SHI Yongxin, the Young Leaders were presented a kungfu performance, and were even given the chance to learn the basics of kungfu themselves…
In Beijing, an official meeting with China’s Vice-President, M. Li Yuanchao, and former French Prime Minister M. Jean-Pierre Raffarin was organized at the Great Hall of the People for a 1-hour lively discussion, where Young Leaders from both countries were invited to speak. After a lunch reception at the French Embassy in China, the group visited SOHO 3Q, a unique community-focused, shared office space, where they could experience the energetic vibe of the internet industry and hold their final discussions.
Over the whole 4-day seminar, multiple discussion sessions were organized, including presentations as well as roundtables and small group interactions, so the Young Leaders could reflect, debate, and share their ideas about “Heritage and Innovation”: the sources of the innovation, the link between creation and heritage, or how Chinese and French active leaders could influence each other to be more innovative and creative in their fields. Both the in-depth discussions and the lively and informal activities over the 4-day journey led the Young Leaders from both countries to know each other better, build lasting relationships, and eventually become friends.
The seminar ended at the Temple Restaurant in Beijing, a magical venue nestled in a Qing dynasty temple right by the Forbidden City, where the Young Leaders discovered American artist James Turrell’s in situ artwork “Gathered Sky”: the perfect setting to conclude 4 days of inspiring exchanges about heritage and creation…
Created during the summer of 2012 by a team of diplomats, entrepreneurs and artists, the France China Foundation encourages the development of relationships between French and Chinese leaders, to stimulate their interest in the other country and to inspire them to set up joint projects. Its main activity consists of organizing an annual Sino-French «Young Leaders» program, which takes place alternately in China and in France. This four-day seminar brings together about 40 highly talented leaders from China and France who are selected for their outstanding political, economic or cultural backgrounds. For more information, please check: www.francechinafoundation.org.
MB Projects Director, Marion Bertagna, is the Secretary-General in China of the France China Foundation. She is the main contact for the Foundation’s official Chinese partner, CPIFA, and coordinates the Foundation’s activities in China.
© Photos Credits: Laurent HOU & Aurélien FOUCAULT
