On April 12th, Mme. Li Xiaolin, the president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries held a banquet for Mme. Marie-France Marchand Baylet, the chairwoman of Foundation Flag-France.

President Li Xiaolin extended her warm welcome to Mme. Marchand Baylet for her visit to the CPAFFC. President Li said, the CPAFFC as a national organization engaged in nongovernmental diplomatic works with the purpose of enhancing people’s friendship, furthering international cooperation, safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, worked for developing the friendly cooperation relation with the countries in the world including France. She indicated, China and France both had brilliant culture in history which would be a good channel for furthering the understanding between the two countries. The next years would be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France, which would be an opportunity for both countries to hold a series of activities of cultural exchange such as art exhibitions.

Mme. Marchand Baylet appreciated President Li Xiaolin for the meeting and her warm reception. She said, She and Foundation Flag-France worked all along for promoting the friendly exchange between China and France by holding exhibitions and other types of art exchanging activities. She would like to further favoring the serial commemorative events of 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France such as the commemorative coin, the establishment of the friendship gardens between Versailles in France and Yuanmingyuan in China, through her good relation with the French high-level officials.

During the banquet, President Li Xiaolin also exchanged ideas with Mme. Marchand Baylet on issues of environmental protection and food security.

Dong Kaijian, the deputy director general of the Department of the European and Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC, Zhou Ruiming, the secretary-general of Commission for Economic Cooperation of China International Friendship Cities Association were present at the banquet.