2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. On this occasion, "When Paris Meets Wenzhou—Sketching and Exhibition by Chinese and French Artists" came on schedule at Versailles City Hall on April 4, local time. "When Paris Meets Wenzhou—Sketching and Exhibition by Chinese and French Artists” this collection were successfully held on the basis of the profound friendship between the Chinese and French people. Since February 12, 2018, the event was officially launched in Versailles, France. And this collection including exhibition, academic seminar and sketch creation were held in Wenzhou from May 13 to 28, 2018. "When Paris meets Wenzhou" collection lasted for more than a year, which received the attention and strong support of government agencies at all levels and people from all walks of life in both countries, and had a positive and far-reaching impact. The main manifestations are as follows: first, the Chinese and French governments attach great importance to cultural and artistic exchanges; second, the needs of the two peoples for deep-seated cultural exchanges; third, the form of cultural exchanges - art is the common language of world cultural exchanges; fourth, the deep-seated exchanges between "Invite in" and "Go outside" to establish the benchmark of cultural exchanges.

"When Paris Meets Wenzhou—Sketching and Exhibition by Chinese and French Artists" the exchange event with France, organized by the French Municipal Government of Versailles and Wenzhou Culture Broadcasting Tourism Bureau; sponsored by Wenzhou Overseas Chinese Office, Yongjia People's Government, Wencheng County People's Government, Lucheng Tourism and Culture Bureau, Wenzhou Yandangshan Landscape Tourism Management Committee, Wenzhou City Cultural Industry Promotion Association; Yongjia Nanxi Academy, France The Association of Plastic Artists, the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce of France and Yishang Paris Culture Association. It also received support from the Chinese Embassy in France, the Propaganda Department of the Yongjia County Committee of the Communist Party of China, the United Front Department of the Yongjia County Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Yongjia County Culture Broadcasting Tourism Sports Bureau, the Nanxi River Landscape Tourism Management Committee of Wenzhou, the School of Art of Peking University, Wenzhou University, The Association of Artists, the French Natural Restaurant Chain, the French Pacific Tong Publishing Group, the Beijing Meiwa International Cultural Media Co., Ltd., the Beijing Red Snail Academy, the Yongjia Ruoxi Art Village, the French Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, the French Association of Overseas Chinese, the French Yongjia Friendship Association, the Collection Group, the European Giant Company, the Cathaysia Land and other levels of government departments.

"When Paris Meets Wenzhou—Sketching and Exhibition by Chinese and French Artists" exhibited about 80 works of 22 Chinese and French artists. They are Remy Aron, Andre Boubounelle, Poerre Le Cacheux, Philippe Dequesne, Olivierde Maziere，Albert Hadijiganev, Natalie Miel, Clementine Odier, Jean-Daniel Bouvard, Liu Xilin, Cheng Dali, Yin Shula, Cai Ruirong, Zhang Gumin, Cheng Hang, Li Jiangfeng, Zhusha, Li Xuefeng, Zhuang Zhong, Xia Libin, Zhou Jianpeng, and Liu Meizi. Through the form of art to show to the people of France and even the world, which makes them to have a more intuitive sense of Chinese human environment and natural landscape, and to have a more in-depth understanding of China's traditional culture. Furthermore, exchanges and cooperation will be carried out at the economic and other levels.

Mr. Franois de Marzier, Mayor of Versailles, Director Liang Chengxi, Cultural Office of Chinese Embassy in France, Deputy Director Li Fangxi of Wenzhou Wenguang Travel Bureau, President Chen Yongxi of Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, Secretary-General Cai Junzhu of Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Honorary President Wu Zhiping of Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, Chinese artists Zhang Gumin, Chen Hang, Li Jiangfeng, Zhusha, Zhuang Zhong, Zhou Jianpeng, France Artists Remy Aron, Andre Boubounelle, Jean-Daniel Bouvard, Philippe Dequesne, Olivierde Maziere，Albert Hadijiganev, Natalie Miel, Clementine Odier, and 200 people from all walks of life from China and France attended the opening ceremony. Franois de Marzier, Mayor of Versailles, Li Fangxi, Vice-Director of Wenzhou Wenguang Tourism Bureau, Chen Yongxi, President of Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, Zheng Jinbiao, First Vice-Chairman of Overseas Chinese Association, Liang Chengxi, Director of Culture Department of Chinese Embassy in France, Zhou Jianpeng, Postdoctoral Fellow of Peking University School of Art and Remy Airong, President of French Association of Plastic Artists, delivered speeches respectively.

Franois de Marzier, Mayor of Versailles, said in his speech: "The exhibition and exchange of Chinese and French painters is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the friendship between the two peoples and cultures. The Castle of Versailles is a symbol of the period of cultural prosperity in French history, where the greatest artists gathered. The city of Versailles has inherited this glorious tradition and has always been a fertile land for creation. We are very happy and proud to welcome Chinese artists here today. China is a country with a long history and culture. Such exchanges will only have a very positive effect, enhancing mutual understanding between our two nations and sharing our pursuit and desire for beauty and beauty. While pursuing the exploration of art, such exchanges are an opportunity to enhance the friendship between the two countries.

Li Fangxi, deputy director of Wenzhou Wenguang Travel Bureau, said in his speech: "Not long after President Xi proposed to launch the 好、Chinese-French Cultural Tourism Year, today we have traveled thousands of miles to Versailles Palace to hold a publicity exhibition of Wenzhou cultural tourism sketches by Sino-French artists when Paris meets Wenzhou." This is a beautiful encounter between an international metropolis and a famous historical and cultural city in China. It is a passionate meeting between the Seine River crossing the city and the Oujiang River, Wenzhou's mother river. It is also a deep blend of "Romantic Capital" and "Warm City". Wenzhou and Paris have a long history of exchanges, and have maintained a very good interaction. Now there are more than 300,000 Wenzhou people who start businesses in France, accounting for more than one third of the overseas Chinese in France, including more than 200,000 in Paris. Especially since February 2018, when Paris meets Wenzhou, a Chinese-French artist exchange event was launched in Wenzhou. Last May, "When Paris Meets Wenzhou—Sketching and Exhibition by Chinese and French Artists" was held in Wenzhou, which has achieved good social repercussions in Wenzhou. Today, the Chinese and French artists sketching exhibition in Wenzhou were successfully held in Versailles, which is another demonstration of the achievements of cultural exchanges between the two places.

Liang Chengxi, Director of Culture Department of the Chinese Embassy in France, said: "This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. President Xi also made a successful state visit to France in March this year, injecting new momentum into bilateral relations. I hope that on this basis, more local cities and institutions of China and France can join the tide of cultural exchanges between China and France, and contribute their own strength to further close the friendly relations between the two countries.

One of the planners of “When Paris Meets Wenzhou”, Zhou Jianpeng, a postdoctoral fellow of Peking University, said: "China and France have a long history and cultural background, and we can communicate with each other in many ways. But after all, we are in the East and west of the world. There are huge differences in geographical environment, cultural philosophy and lifestyle. Therefore, in the process of communication, there will be many barriers and misunderstandings, which is just the exact reason that we need more communication. This deep exchange between Chinese and French artists is testimony. Art breaks the boundaries between man and man, between nations and between nations. It is also art that brings beauty into the world. We are both consumers and creators of beauty.

Remy Aron, president of the French Association of Plastic Artists, said: "We will continue this beautiful adventure in this way. I would also like to make it clear that in an era when our attention to ecology becomes necessary, the artist's view of nature is a great asset to mankind, which helps mankind appreciate the beauty of the world and protecting our planet. That is why we will continue to build a very strong bridge between French and Chinese artists to promote dialogue and sharing between our two civilizations through mutual learning. I would like to make use the opportunity that Chairman Xi’s state visit to France at the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France to reiterate my view that Chinese and Chinese artists may be the only hope for the world's renaissance.

Events of“When Paris Meets Wenzhou”, is a beautiful encounter between an international metropolis and a famous historical and cultural city in China. It's a passionate meeting between the Seine River crossing the city and the Oujiang River of Wenzhou's mother. It's also a deep blend of "Romantic Capital" and "Warm City". The success of this event is a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. It is expected that in the new era, we can use the language of art to understand each other's rich cultural connotations, build bridges between writers and travelers in the form of art, and construct a civilized world with the essence of art.

Before the opening ceremony, Chinese and French artists held an in-depth seminar to discuss the evolution of Chinese and Western painting art in the 20th century, artists, painters and nature in French and Chinese society, painting and nature, landscape painting and Western landscape painting.

It is reported that during the 15-day event, Chinese and French artists will also have a series of activities such as sketching, seminars and exchanges.