University News

Seminar on Sino-French Relations and Exchanges held at SYSU

Source: School of Foreign Languages
Written by: School of Foreign Languages
Translated by: Zheng Lei
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

The Seminar on Sino-French Relations and Exchanges was held on March 14, 2014 at School of Foreign Languages (FLS), Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France and celebrate the inauguration of Centre for French Studies. More than 200 teachers and students from Department of French, Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology and School of International Studies at SYSU, Jinan University, South China Normal University (SCNU), Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou University, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, and Shenzhen Polytechnic attended the seminar. Mr. Bruno Bisson, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of France in Guangzhou, Mr. Michel Gerebtzoff, Consul of the Consulate General of Belgium in Guangzhou, and other guests were invited to the event.

 
The unveiling ceremony of Centre for French Studies
 
Professor Chang Chenguang, Dean of FLS, Consul General Bruno Bisson, Professor Pierre Servet, Honorary Director of Centre for French Studies and Vice President of Jean Moulin University - Lyon 3, and Professor Pu Zhihong, Director of Centre for French Studies, delivered opening speeches. Then the guests jointly unveiled the Centre for French Studies. The seminar consisted of two sessions: Conference Plenary and Roundtable. Professor Patrick Mardellat at Sciences Po Lilie, Professor Zhang Qinghai, Head of History Department at SCNU, and Professor Pierre Servet gave a plenary speech respectively. In the first Roundtable session, Associate Professor Zhou Lihong from Department of History of SYSU, Associate Professor Zhou Xiaolan and Dr. Li Yingliang from Department of History of SCNU had a heated discussion on the topic “Representation of France to Chinese”. In the second Roundtable session, Dr. Sophie Lorrain from Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology of SYSU, Professor Xie Yong from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Professor Pu Zhihong shared their understanding on “Sino-French Politeness: Harmony and Controversy”.

 
Professor Patrick Mardellat delivering a keynote speech


Professor Zhang Qinghai delivering a keynote speech
 
Established in September 2013, the Centre for French Studies was officially launched on 14 March 2014 with the joint effort of School of Foreign Languages, Sun Yat-sen University and Jean Moulin University - Lyon 3. Professor Pierre Servet, Vice President of Jean Moulin University - Lyon 3 is the Honorary Director of the Centre. The Centre focuses on research in linguistics, literature, culture and the teaching of French language and culture. It also aims to build a platform for scholars and experts and enhance the cooperation among research institutes in China and French-speaking countries.