French Delegation Successfully Visited China

Sino-French Dialogue Between Cities: Writing a New Chapter in Cooperation

From April 24 to May 2, 2025, a French delegation, organized by the Euro China Business Center, carried out an official visit to four Chinese cities: Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Mianyang. This trip enabled exploration of synergies between China's urban development strategies and France's local development priorities, which focus on themes such as economic cooperation, urban regeneration, green transition, and industrial innovation. The results are promising and they mark a new stage in partnerships between European and Chinese local governments.

A Strategic Itinerary Through Four Key Cities

The delegation included Cédric PEMBA-MARINE, Mayor of Port-Marly in the Yvelines department; Driss ETTZAOUI, President of the Association of Municipal Councillors of France and Deputy Mayor of Évreux; Lamine NAHAM, Mayor of Trélazé and Vice-President of the Angers Loire Metropolis; Siham LABICH, Deputy Mayor of Saint-Étienne and Vice-President of Saint-Étienne Metropolis; Michael DAMIATI, Mayor of Crosnes and Vice-President of the Val d’Yerres Val de Seine urban community; Anthony BORRAZ, President of the CAUSEMP think tank; Yves LASMARTRES, President of the global organization OMECA and Chief of Cabinet to the Mayor of Auxerre; Roman WU, Vice-President of OMECA and China Representative at the French Audiovisual Commission; Ling LENZI, Deputy Mayor of Aubervilliers and Vice-President of Plaine Commune; Victor HU, President of Groupe Union France; as well as Richard LI, General Manger of the Euro China Business Center. The composition of the delegation spanned various domains, including local governance, sustainable development, investment, economic diplomacy, and territorial innovation.

The delegation held official meetings with the economic development zones of Mianyang, the Hubei Provincial Government and the French Consulate General in Wuhan, local institutions in Chengdu, and the administration of the Hongqiao Central Business Zone in Shanghai. They also visited cutting-edge industrial sites, rural revitalization projects, and autonomous driving demonstration centers, while discussing opportunities in green mobility, sustainable construction, and smart cities with Chinese counterparts.

Concrete Results: Multiform Sino-French Local Cooperation

In Shanghai, the delegation met with Mr. KONG Fuan, First Executive Deputy Director of the Hongqiao International Central Business District Management Committee, and the executive team. Discussions focused on the setup of French companies, international business services, and educational exchanges. These initiatives lay the foundation for institutionalized cooperation between companies from both countries.

In Chengdu, the delegation attended the thematic dialogue event “Dialogue on Mutual Understanding Between Sino-French Civilizations,” visited a model rural revitalization village, and conducted an in-depth tour of Sichuan Keda Agriculture Co., Ltd., personally welcomed by the company’s founder and president, Mr. Zhiyuan SONG.

Keda Agriculture, founded in 2009, is a key enterprise in Sichuan's agricultural industrialization. It is committed to green agriculture, ecological circular agriculture, and innovation in future farming. The company has long maintained in-depth cooperation with several national universities and research institutions, including China Agricultural University, Sichuan Agricultural University, and Tsinghua University. It currently employs over 200 people, more than 50% of whom are researchers and scientific personnel.

The delegation mainly visited the scientific demonstration zone of the “Sansheng Yonghe Circular System,” located in Xin’an Community, Peng Town, Shuangliu District, Chengdu. The park covers a total area of 1,122 mu (approximately 75 hectares) and includes a 30-mu smart greenhouse, a 350-mu modern fruit horticulture area, 220 mu of high-quality farmland, an annual production of 6,000 tons of organic fertilizer, a biological experimental base, and a green agriculture demonstration area.

In Wuhan, the delegation met with the Vice-Governor of Hubei and the provincial commerce bureau. They discovered the province’s open policies and industrial strengths in new energy vehicles, biopharmaceuticals, and green infrastructure. Accompanied by the French Consul General in Wuhan, Mr. Christian THIMONIER, the delegation visited Wuhan’s intelligent connected vehicle testing zone, where they tested autonomous taxis by the company "Luobo Kuai Pao." They praised Wuhan’s advances in smart transportation and emerging industries.

In Mianyang, the delegation visited the economic development zone, engaging in discussions on smart manufacturing and the transformation of scientific research results. They visited several local tech companies, commending China’s progress in the precision industry and digital technology. Several French mayors expressed interest in sharing French expertise in green manufacturing and urban governance.

Long-Term Impact: From Visit to Cooperation

This visit not only deepened the French political and business parties' understanding of China's local government governance, urban development, and industrial structure, but also provided a French cooperation channel for Chinese cities to attract investment. Many representatives expressed their willingness to promote the joint construction of bilateral industrial parks and organize French companies to set up cooperation businesses in China.

Outlook: Toward Sino-French Long-Term Cooperation

This visit paves the way for a lasting cooperation. The Euro China Business Center is committed to continuing its role as a bridge between Chinese and French companies, and to promoting go-between investment and the realization of projects.