FCF | 2019 Annual Gala Dinner at the Centre Pompidou, Paris
On May 14, 2019, the France China Foundation held its third consecutive Annual Gala Dinner at the Centre Pompidou, under the high patronage of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and in attendance of more than 450 guests, from French and Chinese political, economic, and cultural circles.
An iconic building in the heart of Paris, built under Georges Pompidou, who was also the first French President to visit China, and housing one of the most important collections worldwide of Modern and Contemporary Art, the chosen venue is particularly symbolic of this very special year that marks the 55th anniversary of France and China bilateral relations as well as an auspicious reference to the near opening of the West Bund x Centre Pompidou Project in Shanghai, in late 2019.
The night started with a private and very exclusive tour of the museum’s collections, followed by the Gala Dinner in the exhibition galleries, surrounded by works of art by some of the world’s most renowned masters, an extremely rare occasion for the guests to enjoy. Many French and Chinese companies responded to the call, participating in this important night of exchange and encounters between France and China, showing support to the missions of the Foundation. Among the attendees were former Prime-Ministers and seasoned China experts, Laurent Fabius and Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Centre Pompidou’s President, Serge Lasvignes, artists Wang Keping, Yan Peiming, Huang Yongping, Shen Yuan, Zhang Huan, architect Ma Yansong, political figures such as Chinese Ambassador to France, Zhai Jun, and French Secretary of State for finance and economy Agnès Pannier-Runacher. Franck Riester, the French minister of Culture, addressed the attendees through a video message.
In his welcome speech, founding member of the Foundation Emmanuel Lenain stated: “In times of rivalries between super powers, weakening of multilateralism, nationalism and protectionism excesses, constant terrorism threat, climate destructions, and migration challenges, the France China Foundation, from its humble position, embodies a cultural dialogue between East and West through a positive, enriching and constructive approach.”
With the aim to strengthen Sino-French relationships and to create links between universes that might not have otherwise met, the France China Foundation seeks to encourage dialogue, encounters and sustainable projects. Its Young Leaders Program, whose new selection of 2019 members was announced during the dinner, is the vehicle through which the Foundation thrives. Along the year Sino-French events of a business, cultural or academic focus are organized, enriching the essence of its mission through a diversity of points of view. Breakfasts with Chinese and French economic leaders, a roundtable of experts discussing France and China’s cooperation in matters such as the Belt and Road Initiative, or the upcoming participation in the July 2019 Rencontres Economiques d’Aix are among the activities that regularly animate the Foundation’s agenda.
But it is not all work and no play. In this very special night, a celebration of cultural diversity and everything that the France China Foundation stands for, our Young Leaders and friends enjoyed a delicious dinner orchestrated by one of them, Michelin-star chef Akrame Benallal, whose dishes were accompanied by wines from Young Leaders Howard Kwok and Adrian Cheong, owners of Bordeaux Vignobles K.
The France China Foundation would like to thank its partners, without whom this gala dinner could not have taken place: Everbright, Kering, Axa, Groupe Caisse des Dépôts, CLSA, Accor Hotels, B&A Investment Bankers, Groupe Galeries Lafayette, Eurazeo, Lazard, L’Oréal, Tikehau Capital, Institut Mérieux and Cogobuy.com.
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.
