A forum on the development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and France is held in Paris, France, May 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
In his reply, Xi expressed hope that the students will take the lead and become pillars of China-France and China-Europe friendship and cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from teachers and students of the Chinese language class at the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur International School in France, extending his best wishes to them as well as all the teachers and students of the school.
Learning Chinese not only helps one understand an ancient yet modern China, but also helps build a bridge to a brighter future for China and France, Xi said in the letter, which greatly inspired the teachers and students.
In interviews with Xinhua, many expressed their gratitude to Xi, saying the letter has strengthened their motivation to learn Chinese well and to promote friendship and cooperation between China and France, as well as between China and Europe.
Students write Chinese characters during a Chinese character writing competition in Msida, Malta, on April 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)
"A WONDERFUL MOMENT"
In the small Provencal town of Manosque, spring sunshine was gentle and soothing. Inside the school's stepped lecture hall, red lanterns and traditional Chinese knots hung from the ceiling as the Chinese Consulate General in Marseille presented Xi's reply letter to the school on Thursday. Applause and cheers quickly filled the room, while teachers and students beamed with excitement at the special moment.
In his reply, Xi expressed hope that the students will take the lead and become pillars of China-France and China-Europe friendship and cooperation.
Arnaud, a student who spoke on behalf of the Chinese class at the event, said that Xi's reply encourages them to better learn the Chinese language and culture, and to contribute to exchanges and cooperation between France and China. To mark the special occasion, he deliberately chose a bright "China red" shirt featuring a dragon pattern across the chest.
Hu Peixin, a teacher of the Chinese class, told Xinhua that the students were thrilled when they received the reply, some of whom were so excited that they even asked, "may I take a look at the letter as soon as possible?" Another teacher, Tang Mi, said the entire school felt inspired, with many teachers and students offering congratulations to the Chinese class.
Xi noted in his reply that the Chinese language carries the legacy of the 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization, and each Chinese character embodies profound historical wisdom.
Lily, another student in the Chinese class, said this line left a particularly deep impression on her. Chinese is a language with profound cultural depth, and learning it has been a unique experience, she said, adding that Xi's reply has given her greater confidence to continue learning this language well.
The school's principal, Nicolas Debenne, who was on a business trip in Norway, joined the event via video call and shared the excitement with teachers and students. He described the reply as a tremendous honor and joy for the school and a wonderful moment for France-China friendship.
"I am proud of our students," he said, adding that the school will continue to deepen its Chinese-language education and further promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Vice Principal Annabelle Rinaudo told Xinhua that the school will display the letter in a prominent window for everyone to see. Meanwhile, teachers from the Chinese class said they will incorporate the reply letter into their lessons to help students better understand its message.
A contestant writes Chinese calligraphy during a Chinese show for primary school students in Prague, the Czech Republic, June 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Yaomin)
ENDURING FRIENDSHIP
In their letter to Xi, representatives of the teachers and students from the Chinese language class shared their experiences of learning Chinese and their love for Chinese culture, and expressed their strong willingness to enhance exchanges between Chinese and French youth and to deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries.
In his reply, Xi extended a warm welcome to the teachers and students, as well as to more French and European youth, to come to China to study, visit and travel, experiencing firsthand a real, multidimensional, open and progressive China and making the Chinese language their lifelong companion.
Tang Mi, a teacher in the Chinese class, explained that the idea to write to Xi first came after French President Emmanuel Macron visited China in December 2025. Over 30 students signed the joint letter, including some who are learning Chinese as their third language.
Arnaud said they wrote about their love for China and how they learn about Chinese culture, from practicing calligraphy and painting to memorizing Tang poetry.
Back in April 2023, in south China's Guangzhou, Xi and Macron shared a memorable cultural moment while listening to a mesmerizing performance of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" on the ancient Chinese instrument, the qin. "Only Zhiyin (bosom friends) can understand this music," Xi told Macron, explaining the story behind the melody.
During their meeting in December 2025, Xi highlighted the importance of continuing to write brilliant chapters in people-to-people exchanges.
"We want to keep telling the story of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water,' and wish for the enduring friendship between China and France," said Arnaud.
Rinaudo, the vice principal, believes that young people are the hope of the future and need opportunities for open dialogue. She added that an increasing number of students are eager to see and experience China firsthand.
During his visit to France in May 2024, Xi announced China's plan to host more than 10,000 French students in three years and to double the number of European youth exchanges in China.
Leledy Elise, a 23-year-old French woman who has studied Chinese for over seven years and now works as a trilingual host in Chinese, French and English, said she hopes to continue sharing Chinese culture with the French public and helping to strengthen friendship and cooperation between China and France, as well as across Europe.
Tamara Grigore, a Romanian education professional who has organized several EU-China youth sci-tech exchange programs, told Xinhua that Xi's reply had deeply inspired her.
"Youth exchanges are essential because they create genuine human connections" and serve as a vital way for European and Chinese youth to learn from one another and build lasting friendships, she said.
Adela Pascual, a graduate from the University of Valladolid, believes that exchanges between young people from Europe and China are essential as they help build bridges of understanding between different cultures.
"Students can play a key role in strengthening relations between Europe and China by promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding," said Pascual, who has studied at Sun Yat-sen University and East China Normal University.
Student exchanges between China and Europe are of great significance, said Bartlomiej Krol, a second-year master's student in Chinese Studies at the University of Warsaw.
"By exchanging perspectives and sharing cultures, the younger generation can deepen mutual understanding and help people in different countries see more of each other's positive and constructive sides," said Krol.
