cowhide cover, fluttering bronzing, dyed paper ring lining, red brushed edge... This is an ancient classic with the characteristics of French Enlightenment book binding, and it is also an important collection of China National Library . François Bernier, the author of the book, never imagined that the French version of the Analects of Confucius compiled by himself would return to China more than 300 years later.
1688 The first French version of "Introduction to the Analects" published in
1688. (Source: Guangming Net )
This starts with a state visit to France by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
2019 coincides with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. March 24th of that year was a Sunday. French President Macron and his wife made a special trip from Paris to the Haiyan Villa in Nice to warmly greet "dear old friends" - President Xi Jinping and his wife.
On March 24, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice. Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Peng photo
After cordially shaking hands and greeting each other, Macron invited Xi Jinping to the parlour to introduce his carefully prepared national gift.
"It was found by a French sinologist for us." Macron carefully picked up a book on the table, opened the brown cover, and there were faint handwriting on the title page. The author wrote in the opening chapter "To Readers" that the book is "as a key and entry for reading Confucius ". Macron told Xi Jinping: "This book was published in 1688 and is the first original French edition of "Introduction to the Analects of Confucius".
On March 24, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with French President Macron in Nice, France. Mrs. Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan and Mrs. Macron's Brigitte attended. Before the meeting, Macron presented Xi Jinping with the original French edition of the first "Introduction to the Analects" published in France in 1688. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Peng As a classic of traditional Chinese culture, The Analects of Confucius was introduced to Europe as early as the 17th century, and many scholars compared Confucius to Socrates. Macron commented on the influence of Chinese culture in France: "Confucius' thoughts have profoundly influenced Voltaire and others, and provided valuable ideological inspiration for the French Enlightenment Movement." Xi Jinping took the book gently, Look carefully: "This is a precious gift, and we will cherish it." On the evening of November 5, 2019, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan met with French President Macron and his wife Brigitte in Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai. Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Bin photo
On the evening of November 5th, more than 7 months later, in the Yu Garden in Shanghai, the water corridor is full of light and shadow. Mr. and Mrs. Xi Jinping and Mr. and Mrs. Macron, who were visiting China, went to the park together, stopped from time to time to admire the scenery of gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, and watched the performances of Kunqu Opera and Yue Opera. Xi Jinping said, my wife and I chose to entertain the President and his wife at Yuyuan Garden, and I hope you can appreciate the beauty of Chinese gardens and traditional Chinese culture.
's emphasis on cultural exchanges is a major feature of Sino-French relations. In 1981, Chinese translator Li Zhihua completed the French version of "Dream of Red Mansions" in 27 years, becoming the first person to introduce this classic Chinese classic to France. The publication of the French version of "A Dream of Red Mansions" was also called "a major event in French literature in 1981" by French book critics.
In March 2014, Xi Jinping, who was visiting the former site of the Sino-French University in Lyon, met 99-year-old Li Zhihua, and praised the perseverance and academic talent of this cultural messenger.
On March 26, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the former site of the Sino-French University in Lyon in France. The picture shows Xi Jinping shaking hands with Li Zhihua, a famous Chinese translator in France. Xinhua News Agency reporter Lan Hongguang photo
As representatives of the two major civilizations of the East and the West, China and France have always appreciated and learned from each other even though they are thousands of miles apart.
"France's history, philosophy, literature, and art have deeply attracted me." In March 2014, at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, Xi Jinping listed a long list of French writers and artists. The era has a strong interest in French culture.
"My state visit will start in Xi'an, and I will first understand China's millennium civilization." In January 2018, Macron visited China for the first time to see the Terracotta Warriors, climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and visit the Forbidden City. He revealed in his speeches and tweetsShow your love for Chinese culture.
"Cultural closeness is the unique advantage of Sino-French relations." In Xi Jinping's eyes, China and France with close cultural affinity are "special friends", and Sino-French relations are "a pair of special relations in the relationship between major powers in the world". Where is the "special" of
?
Many of the older generation of Chinese Communist Party leaders studied in France. As a major country with a tradition of independence and independence, China-France relations have created several "firsts": France is the first major Western country to formally establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and the first to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and institutional strategy with China. A major western power in dialogue, the first country to carry out civil nuclear energy cooperation with China...
In November 2019, the second China International Import Expo opened. As the first head of state of a western developed country to attend the CIIE, Macron criticized unilateralism and protectionism in his opening speech, and firmly upheld multilateralism and free trade. Against the background of the surging undercurrent of anti-globalization, China and France are facing each other and sharing responsibility, which is even more special.
On November 5, 2019, after attending the opening ceremony of the 2nd China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the pavilion together with participating foreign leaders. The picture shows Xi Jinping visiting the French Pavilion accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron. Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi photo After the opening ceremony of
, Xi Jinping, accompanied by Macron, went to France Pavilion . Macron invited Xi Jinping to taste French wine and beef. Xi Jinping said: "French beef and red wine are very popular in China." Facing more than 20 French entrepreneurs around him, Xi Jinping issued a sincere invitation: "French enterprises are welcome to come to China, and the Chinese market is huge." Today, the two-way investment between China and France is growing rapidly, and the bilateral trade volume has exceeded 80 billion US dollars, hitting a record high.
In March 2019, during the meeting in Nice, Xi Jinping happily told Macron about the history of friendly exchanges between China and France. The two heads of state walked to the seaside and looked into the distance. Quiet night, the sound of waves bursts. Xi Jinping said: "The two peoples have special friendly feelings, which is a precious asset. We must inherit and carry forward well, so that China-France relations will continue to be at the forefront of the development of the times."
