On November 25, the delegation headed by Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited Beihang University and participated in the “Enterprise Open Day” activities held by the Sino-French Engineer School. Beihang President Xu Huibin and Vice President Huang Haijun warmly received the delegation. Jean-Maurice Ripert, French ambassador to China, Marion Le Drian, wife of the Minister, and officials from the French government and French Embassy were also present.
The two sides met in Ruxin Convention Center. President Xu Huibin welcomed the delegation, and introduced the history as well as the teaching and research capacity of Beihang University. Mr. Le Drian expressed thanks for the warm reception, pointing out that the cooperation of higher education between France and China is among the core issues in promoting the cultural exchange between the two countries. He expected that he could take advantage of the visit to gain a better knowledge of the achievements of the cooperative educational programs of the Sino-French Engineer School. Both sides also exchanged their gifts.
President Xu Huibin holding talks with Mr. Jean-YvesLe Drian at RuXin Convention Center
After the meeting, they headed to the venue of the “Enterprise Open Day”, where President Xu Huibin introduced Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian and Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert to guests of the event. The President also welcomed the coming of a number of Sino-French enterprises, all of which have played an active role in promoting the development of the school. He said that the Sino-French Engineer School has set a model for cooperation of higher education between the two countries, with its graduates at the front of Sino-French communications in terms of economy, trade, culture, and scientific research.
President Xu Huibin welcomed the delegation headed by Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian
Addressing the event, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian commended Beihang’s efforts together with Le Groupe des Ecoles Centrales (a group of five central schools in Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nantes and Marseille) to set up the school, and wished that the school will always flourish in the future.
Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian addressing the event
Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian and President Xu Huibin had talks with the enterprises delegates at the event, and visited the exhibition areas of middle- and small-sized enterprises for a full understanding of the school-enterprise cooperation. Besides, they asked some Chinese and foreign students about their school life, encouraging them to become talents as early as possible. Students from the Sino-French Engineer School welcomed Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian with gifts and performances.
Talking with enterprise representatives and students attending the event
Student representatives presenting gifts to Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian
Welcoming performances by students from the Sino-French Engineer School (French ambassador to China Jean-Maurice Ripert is the first on the right of the picture)
Picture with the enterprise delegates
Picture with the School’s freshmen of 2017
Reported by Shi Yue, Wang Yuchen, and Cui Yifan
Edited and translated by Li Siying
