THE YEAR OF FRANCE IN CHINA'S COMMITTEE OF HONOUR
For more than 40 years,
China and France have formed special ties. The France-China Exchange Years are
a testimony to and symbol of the durability and vitality of this relationship.
Tremendous opportunities for cooperation between our two countries are being
opened up again for future decades.
In order to allow French companies to integrate fully into the plan of the Exchange
Years and to contribute to the promotion of economic and commercial exchanges
with China, the French government entrusted Henri Proglio, president of Véolia
Environnement, with forming a "Year of France in China Committee of
Honour", which aims to federate the main French companies working in China
and who desire to support, through their active commitment, the organisation
of cultural and artistic events, as well as economic, scientific and technological
shows. To date, 25 key French companies have already accepted and will lend
their support to this mission.
The impact of this approach has again been enhanced through the initiative of
Dr. David Li, president of the Bank of East Asia, and Mr. Li Dong
Sheng, president of the Chinese electronic group TCL in motivating 21 Chinese
companies in Hong Kong and continental China to join the Year of France in China's
Committee of Honour.
Under the joint presidency
of Henri Proglio, David Li, and Li Dong Sheng, the Committee of Honour has thereby
united a large number of French and Chinese companies. This perfectly symbolises
the friendship between the two countries and reflects the importance that the
companies attach to the deepening of cultural, political, and economic relations
between them.
The Committee of Honour's mission is directed towards two goals:
. through its sponsorship, to provide the financial means necessary for organising an ambitious programme of events that from October 2004 to July 2005 will give the Chinese public many high quality occasions to better understand the different sides of France;
. to contribute to defining the Year of France in China's programme, in particular by offering or supporting activities that make it possible to illustrate or represent economic, technological, and environmental capacities, the training and research potential of France, and Franco-Chinese cooperation.
This innovative approach,
heavily and collectively involving the companies from both countries alongside
public authorities, is a first in an "Exchange Years" exercise.
Website for the Committee of Honour:
If you are in China: www.comitehonneurfrancechine.com
If you are outside of China: www.comitehonneurfrancechine.fr