The Year of France in China, the second half of the China-France Culture Year, has presented the masterpieces of our cultural heritage and the highlights of French art to Chinese audiences.

Through holding several hundred activities and events, our bilateral ties, based on dialogues and exchanges, have proven to be ever closer and more stable.

From the opening concert featuring Jean-Michel Jarre at the Forbidden City, the exhibition of Impressionist paintings, to the Design of France and Cosmopolis - all the activities of the Year of France in China have attracted millions of Chinese participants. They have shown the same spirit of mutual understanding and learning as French audiences displayed during the Year of China in France.

The combination of inheritance of cultural legacies and creativity is an important part of the French spirit, something that has laid solid foundations allowing for breakthroughs to be made in the fields of innovation and technology.

This is also seen in the Pasteur Institute established in Shanghai, the Sino-French Technology Institute at Shanghai's Tongji University and the co-operative scheme to open preparatory classes for Chinese students to study in France.

Looking to the future, we will join hands with the Chinese people to further enhance our capability to create a better world. And we hope these co-operative programmes, just like the China-France Culture Year, will last long in various forms.

Today, the Year of France in China closes with a series of unique artistic activities.

The final act will be a gathering with Chinese audience to celebrate our friendship.

From "the Champs-Elysees to the Great Wall" to the "Night of France" at the Summer Palace - all these activities are wonderful presented by Beijing that will stay in our hearts forever.

The performing tour of the Paris Opera Ballet will be an exciting finale to the Year of France in China. With its precision and elaborate skills, the ballet troupe is well-known throughout the world. Its centuries-long history and artistic reputation make it the best envoy for the closing of the Year of France in China.

I hope that the close, diversified and exemplary bilateral dialogues established during the past two years through the China-France Culture Year, will continue to bring benefits to both countries for many years to come.

Vive La Sino-French friendship!

(China Daily 09/20/2005 page1)