During the 7th China-France Cultural Forum, French guests experienced Hunan's intangible cultural heritage of straw weaving.
Recently, the 7th China-France Cultural Forum, organized by the Western Returned Scholar Association (Overseas-educated Scholars Association of China) , was held in Changsha, Hunan. The theme of this year's forum is "Pluralistic Coexistence and Harmonious Progress — Developing a New Model for Chinese-French Cultural Exchanges." Guests from the fields of culture, art, and business in both China and France engaged in in-depth dialogue on topics such as "Artificial Intelligence and Artistic Innovation" and "Art Education and Cultural Exchange," sharing their practical experiences and insights in promoting cultural exchange and jointly exploring new pathways for mutual learning among civilizations.
Building a Bridge of Hearts Between the Chinese and French Peoples
In his opening remarks, Ding Zhongli, President of the Western Returned Scholar Association, stated that diversity and coexistence are the foundation of civilizational continuity and the source of innovation and creativity. The vitality of civilization lies in "harmony without uniformity," and human progress is inseparable from "appreciating the beauty of each culture." In the face of the resurgence of unilateralism and theories of civilizational conflict, China and France should join hands to put the concept of "harmonious progress" into practice, demonstrating the profound meaning that civilizations become colorful through exchange and enriched through mutual learning. With a power that "nourishes all things silently," they should build a bridge connecting the hearts of the Chinese and French peoples and jointly advance the realization of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former prime minister of France and chairperson of the French-based Prospective and Innovation Foundation, believes that although France and China have different cultural backgrounds, they share a deep resonance on issues such as peace, development, and humanistic values. It is precisely on the basis of these shared values that the two great civilizations of France and China must better understand one another and engage in mutual exchange and learning.
"I look forward to seeing more French people, especially young people, visiting China firsthand to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China through projects in culture, education, and science and technology, and to jointly contribute their wisdom and strength to safeguarding world peace and promoting human development," said Raffarin.
A century ago, Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen, and other comrades founded the Xinmin Society in Changsha, Hunan, and hundreds of young people from Hunan traveled to France to work and study, sowing the seeds of cultural exchange between the two countries. The historic site of their activities at 15 Rue Raymond Trelle in Montargis has now been transformed into the Historical Museum of the Chinese Work-Study Program in Montargis, France, quietly recounting those turbulent yet vibrant years of youth.
Time flows, and the seasons change. Today, the Sino-French Cultural Forum has come to Changsha, a city brimming with warmth that bears witness to even more civilizational dialogues spanning mountains and seas.
AI Reshapes the Artistic Creation Ecosystem
At this year's China-France Cultural Forum, the topic of artificial intelligence has become the focal point of the event. AI is breaking down the boundaries of cultural dissemination, infusing traditional creation with innovative vitality, and driving greater consensus between China and France on the ethics of AI technology and cultural governance, thereby expanding pathways for cultural exchange in the digital age.
In the face of the transformations brought by AI, Tang Sulan, Chairperson of the Hunan Provincial Writers Association, believes that in this era, writers should return to the essence of writing, infusing their works with the warmth of the soul and unique life experiences. While making good use of AI tools, we must steadfastly uphold the values of truth, goodness, and beauty, and serve as custodians of human memory.
Pascal Dasseux, Secretary General of the Vivendi Asia Committee and executive vice president of the Havas Group, stated that while AI may take on more creative tasks, the core remains "the synergy between humans and technology." Citing the cross-media adaptation of classic literary IPs as an example, he explained that AI models can deeply analyze the emotional core and cultural depth of works. AI can accurately replicate the linguistic styles and atmospheric settings of different eras while generating content tailored for various formats—such as short videos, interactive dramas, and audio programs. This approach preserves the emotional resonance and cultural value of the original works while reaching a broader audience through technological innovation. "In the future, we will continue to deepen our practical efforts to ensure that emotion, culture, and AI technology resonate in unison," Pascal Dasseux said.
"As one of the most revolutionary technological forces of our time, AI is reshaping the ecosystem of cultural creation, inheritance, and dissemination in ways beyond imagination," explained Zeng Xiong, secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Malanshan Video and Cultural Creative Industrial Park. Currently, Malanshan has attracted over 4,000 cultural and technology enterprises and 68,000 professionals in the audio-visual industry, gradually building an industrial ecosystem centered on the audio-visual sector with the coordinated development of multiple business formats.
Olivier Laouchez, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of transnational media group Trace, stated that in the midst of the new wave of technology, keeping pace with the times is key to development, and the powerful collaboration between artificial intelligence and humans is a core trend for the future. "AI is not merely a tool for creative assistance; it is also expanding the boundaries of creativity, enabling more people to gain public attention and unleash their creative potential in the AI era. China's leading intelligent recommendation technology—backed by mature cloud storage capabilities, in-depth data analysis, and precise push logic—is precisely the cornerstone of our collaboration," he said.
Harnessing the Power of Youth
In recent years, young artists have gradually emerged as the backbone of Sino-French cross-cultural exchange. With their open and inclusive international perspective and bold, innovative artistic expression, they are driving the symbiotic coexistence and mutual prosperity of different civilizations through exchange and mutual learning, writing a new chapter in Sino-French cultural integration.
Liu Ya, a fourth-generation inheritor of Xiang embroidery and director of the Liu Jianxin Embroidery Art Museum in Changsha, once studied in France. As a representative inheritor of a national-level intangible cultural heritage project, she views Xiang embroidery not merely as a craft of the fingertips, but as a bridge for cross-cultural communication. In May of this year, she showcased Xiang embroidery works at the International Biennale of Craft and Design in France, where she experienced the cross-cultural appeal inherent in the art of handicrafts. "Chinese embroidery emphasizes freehand expression, while French embroidery excels in three-dimensional decoration. In the future, I hope to use silk thread as a medium to further deepen cooperation and exchange in the field of Chinese and French handicrafts," said Liu Ya.
"The materials and artisans of Jingdezhen have supported all my creative imagination," said French ceramic artist Juliette Penelope Pepin(Juliette Pénélope Pépin). Pepin spent three months in residence in Jingdezhen. As an interdisciplinary artist, her work blends ceramic techniques, materials science, and ecological concepts. In Jingdezhen, Pepin delved deeply into the characteristics of local clay. She was deeply impressed by the meticulous division of labor and exquisite craftsmanship in Chinese ceramic art. "My creative experience in China has greatly expanded my artistic horizons, and I will continue to explore diverse forms of expression in ceramic art across different cultural contexts,"said Pepin.
How can digital art infuse traditional culture with modern vitality? Li Yan, Chairman of Hunan Rusi Digital Art Culture Media Co., Ltd., offers this answer: with stories at the core and light and shadow as the stage. In recent years, Li Yan has led her team in creating immersive theaters through an innovative “technology + art” model. Using holographic projection technology, they constructed a digital media mountain theater amidst bamboo groves, successfully recreating classic imagery from the Chu Ci and presenting The Record of Yueyang Tower in a completely new way, enabling audiences to engage in a dialogue between the past and the present.
French painter Claire Nicolet once created works at the "Yishu 8" residency located on the former site of the Sino-French University. The vibrant atmosphere of the hutongs and the classical beauty of the Summer Palace both became sources of inspiration for her art. This year, Nicot completed a 400-meter-diameter rooftop mural in Shanghai's Xintiandi, skillfully blending Chinese animal motifs with French decorative styles. In her view, the philosophical insights embedded in classical Chinese painting align closely with her own creative philosophy; she has drawn inspiration from them while enriching her own artistic expression.
French designer Lyes Hammadouche integrates traditional Chinese philosophy with modern technology into his work. Upon first arriving in China, he explored Eastern philosophical wisdom by reading the Laozi and Zhuangzi. In his creative practice, Li Si designs eyewear based on the concept of "Yin-Yang harmony" and creates glass installations inspired by the principles of the sundial… He says that the spiritual essence of Eastern philosophy has provided him with boundless inspiration.
As the forum draws to a close, the dialogue between the Xiangjiang River and the Seine continues. Those beliefs regarding exchange and dialogue, the consensus on AI and the humanities, and the hopes for youth and cultural heritage, have taken root and sprouted over time, adding a gentle yet resolute touch of brilliance to the mutual learning and exchange of civilizations.
Chinese source: People's Daily
