French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe visits Tsinghua

On June 24th, the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe visited Tsinghua University and gave a lecture in the Tsinghua Global Vision Lecture series.

Qiu Yong, the President of Tsinghua University, met with Monsieur Philippe before the lecture. On behalf of Tsinghua, President Qiu Yong extended his warm welcome to Monsieur Philippe and introduced the recent development of Tsinghua and its cooperation with French universities. President Qiu Yong said that Tsinghua attaches great significance to international cooperation and innovation. Both sides agreed to further promote the exchange and partnership between Tsinghua University and its French counterparts. Vice President Yang Bin attended the meeting.

Monsieur Philippe then came to the hall of the Main Building to deliver his lecture. Qiu addressed the audience, saying that the friendship between the Chinese and the French dates back a long time and our universities have developed good cooperation. Qiu welcomed more young French talents and scholars to visit Tsinghua University and said he expected more Tsinghua students and teachers to study in France. Vice President Yang Bin hosted the lecture.

In his lecture, with its theme of innovation, Monsieur Philippe discussed the important opportunities and challenges that France and the world are facing. He listed many instances of cooperation between China and France in nuclear energy, aerospace and environmental protection, as well as in other areas. He especially emphasized the important role of universities’ cooperation in the development of new technology. He also expected new cooperation in innovation between the two countries and wished the young people of both countries to be friends with, and learn from, each other so as to make a greater contribution to world peace, stability, prosperity and development.  

Madame Frederique Vidal, French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Monsieur Jean-Maurice Ripert, French Ambassador to China, and Monsieur Emmanuel Lenain, Diplomatic Adviser to the French Prime Minister, accompanied Monsieur Philippe in this visit and attended the lecture.

After the lecture, witnessed by President Qiu Yong and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Vice President Yang Bin and Executive Vice-President of ESCP Europe Leon Laulusa signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The two universities will deepen their cooperation in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship for young people.

Editors: John Olbrich, Li Han, Zhu Lvhe