On May 10, 2023 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held consultations with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna regarding the China-France high-level dialogue on people-to-people exchanges in Paris.

Qin Gang said during President Macron's visit to China, the two heads of state agreed to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to fully resume exchanges and cooperation in fields like culture, education, science and technology, and take China-France relations to a new level. The two sides should implement the common understandings reached between the two heads of state, and fully leverage the high-level people-to-people exchange mechanism to further deepen people-to-people exchanges and  mutual understanding. Qin suggested that the two sides promote cooperation in sports, education, language, scientific and technological innovation, and tourism as priorities. Facing an international situation with interwoven change and turmoil, China and France, as two splendid ancient civilizations, have the responsibility to advance mutual respect and inclusiveness among cultures and civilizations, eliminate estrangement and prejudice, and sow the seeds of peace in the hearts of the people around the world. This is exactly what President Xi Jinping's had in mind when he proposed the Global Civilization Initiative.

Colonna agreed with China's proposal, saying that France attaches great importance to cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China. Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and France will host the Olympic Games, Colonna said France is ready to work with China to plan celebrations of the 60th anniversary and promote greater development of bilateral cooperation in tourism, sports and other fields. Colonna said France and China, both boasting a long history and a splendid culture, should strengthen cultural exchanges, including cooperation in cultural heritage, cultural tourism, education and language.

Leading officials of relevant departments of the two countries were present at the meeting.