April 2, 2014

April 2 (chinanews.com) – Mr. Xiao Wunan, executive vice chairman of Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APECF), visited the Chinese Embassy in France on April 1 (Paris time) and told journalists that cooperation between China and Cannes is comprehensively deepening. Zhejiang province will become home to a new Sino-French cultural city. The renowned Cannes International Film Festival will come into China.

Mr. Xiao Wunan made the revelation while attending the signing ceremony of the Sino-French SeaOrbiter Project -- a key project of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The year 2014  not only marks the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France but also the 10th anniversary of establishment of sister city relations between Zhejiang and Alpes-Maritimes province. Mr. Xiao Wunan  witnessed the blossoming of Sino-French friendship in recent years. He said China and France need to face the world and the future at this important juncture and seek a more comprehensive and profound strategic cooperation. The Sino-French Cultural City and the Cannes International Film Festival are the latest example  of cultural exchanges between the two countries and the two provinces. The  projects not only further enhance bilateral understanding, communication and consensus but also bring new industrial upgrading opportunities and promote related businesses. This is an important method of cooperation for relations between China and France in the next 50 years.

Journalists learned that Cannes had developed from a small fishing port town in southern France into a renowned European tourist resort because of not only its unique geography but also the impact on tourism and revenues generated by previous Cannes International Film Festivals. Mr. Zhou Jiong, executive secretary-gneral of China Film Exchanges & Cooperation Association (CFECA), who has been pushing forward this project, told journalists that this is the fundamental reason why China’s film industry has constantly been interested in Cannes International Film Festival. “Compared with a common film festival, the Cannes International Film Festival could refresh and promote a city’s brand, popularity, reputation and even spirit. This is valuable to an emerging industry.”

Journalists also learned that Anji County in Zhejiang province, which will hopefully host the project, was China’s first county to receive the Habitat Scroll of Honor Award.  Anji County boasts beautiful scenery and a plethora of talent with  unique tourism value. It is a suitable choice for French culture and the Cannes film industry.

According to Mr. Alains JOUANJUS, secretary-general of Cannes municipal government who has been pushing forward this project, Cannes is highly interested in promoting Cannes and bringing film culture to China. “After gaining a better understanding of Zhejiang province, we believe cooperation between the two sides is very suitable,” he said. China and France reached broad consensus and believe that China and France represent Oriental and Western civilizations. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, this cooperation is not only a historical handshake between the two countries, but also the two civilizations. We are confident this cooperation will spark countless opportunities and inspiration. It is revealed that this project will not only bring Cannes China Film Festival to China, but a French cultural town will be built, combining themes such as film, culture and tourism. Both sides have clearly expressed an intention to cooperate and will sign a formal agreement soon, indicating Anji county will be home to the Sino-French cultural city. The Cannes International Film Festival will come to China for the first time.

APECF delegation and officials of the Cannes municipal government pose for a group photo