Walking through the streets of Wuhan, it's easy to spot traces of French culture: from the romantic ambiance of French restaurants to the lively scenes of French language classes, from the exciting screenings at the French Film Panorama to the collaborative performances by Chinese and French artists. Cultural exchanges between Wuhan and France have deeply integrated into the daily lives of the city's residents, and the French influence in Wuhan continues to grow stronger. Over the years, with the mutual efforts and support of both China and France, the number of “French friends” in Wuhan has steadily increased, and the scope of cooperation has expanded across various fields.
Exchanges Further Deepen
Sister City: Bordeaux, France
Date of Establishment: June 18, 1998
Date of Establishment: June 18, 1998
Bordeaux is located in the southwest of France and serves as the capital of the Aquitaine region. It covers an area of 3,875 square kilometers and has a population of 920,000. Bordeaux is home to France's largest historical and artistic preservation area, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007. Famous worldwide as the home of fine wine, Bordeaux produces 850 million bottles of wine annually, with 40% exported globally.
Since the establishment of the sister city relationship in 1998, Wuhan and Bordeaux have engaged in effective exchanges and cooperation in various areas, including government relations, sustainable development, and education. They have won the “China-France Local Government Cooperation Award” twice.
Sister City: Essonne, France
Date of Establishment: December 21, 2012
Date of Establishment: December 21, 2012
Essonne is located in the Île-de-France region, covering an area of 1,804 square kilometers and with a population of approximately 1.2 million. The capital of Essonne is Évry, and the river Essonne flows through the province. Known for its strong educational and scientific capabilities, Essonne also boasts a developed industrial economy, being home to the headquarters of world-class corporations such as Renault, F1, Accor, and Carrefour.
In the 1980s, Paris-Sud University, located in Essonne, established a cooperative relationship with Wuhan University, marking the beginning of cooperation between the two cities. Since becoming sister cities in 2012, the two have actively engaged in exchanges and cooperation in areas such as government relations, scientific research, education, and landscaping. In May 2018, the Yellow Crane Tower Park and Essonne's provincial park Chamarande Castle signed a friendly cooperation agreement.
Friendly Exchange City: Moselle, France
Date of Establishment: July 16, 2013
Date of Establishment: July 16, 2013
Moselle is an industrial province located on the border between France and Germany, covering an area of 6,216 square kilometers and with a population of approximately 1 million. The province serves as a commercial hub in seven key sectors: automotive industry, metal manufacturing, plastics, logistics and customer service, construction materials and products, environmental protection, and energy.
Friendly Exchange City: Lille, France
Date of Establishment: November 3, 2014
Date of Establishment: November 3, 2014
Lille is an important city in northern France, covering an area of 34.83 square kilometers, with a population of approximately 1 million in the city center and surrounding satellite towns. It is the largest railway transportation hub in northern France and a significant industrial, scientific, and educational center in the country.
Friendly Exchange City: Le Mans, France
Date of Establishment: November 1, 2015
Date of Establishment: November 1, 2015
Le Mans is located in the northwest of France, along the Sarthe River, and is the capital city of the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region. Covering an area of 2,200 square kilometers, the city has a population of approximately 140,000 (as of 2010). It is situated about 190 kilometers from Paris, within the Paris one-hour economic zone. Le Mans is globally renowned for its 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, which has a history spanning over a century.
Friendly Exchange City: Dunkirk, France
Date of Establishment: March 20, 2017
Date of Establishment: March 20, 2017
Dunkirk is located in the northeastern part of France, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, bordering the UK and Belgium. Covering an area of 43.89 square kilometers, the city has a population of approximately 88,000. It is one of France's three major port cities, with key industries including steel, food processing, oil refining, shipbuilding, and chemicals.
Friendly Exchange City: Marseille, France
Date of Establishment: November 20, 2017
Date of Establishment: November 20, 2017
Marseille is located on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is France's second-largest city and an important industrial center and tourist city, as well as a major hub in the southern part of the country for administration, economy, culture, and transportation. Covering an area of 240.62 square kilometers, the city has a population of approximately 860,000. The Port of Marseille is the largest port on the Mediterranean coast and the fourth-largest in Europe.
