On the occasion of an open day at the Consulate of China, students from the Jacques-Chirac International School and the Paca International School in Manosque were welcomed by the Consul General. In an atmosphere enlivened by traditional music, they discovered stands showcasing tea, origami, and painting, before presenting dances, instruments, and poems, highlighting their cultural learning.
The consulate promotes the “radiance of the Chinese language and culture” through twinnings and study trips. “Franco-Chinese friendship is based on exchanges and mutual respect,” said Nicolas Debenne, the principal of the Paca International School. “One of the pillars, especially for young people, is the learning of the Chinese language.”
In a letter to students and teachers, Chinese President Xi Jinping believes that learning the language allows for “better understanding China, but also building bridges to a brighter future for both countries.”
An asset for the future.
At the Jacques-Chirac International School, Samy, a second-year student in the Chinese section, takes nearly eight hours of classes per week. “My mother is Chinese, so it allows me to speak the language. It is an important language and it is part of my identity,” he explains. For Lili, a student at the Paca International School enrolled in the Chinese section since primary school, it was primarily “the richness of Chinese culture” that motivated her. An education that she also sees as “a real advantage for the future.”
