Peking University, October 26, 2023: Former Prime Minister of France Jean-Pierre Raffarin on Oct. 19 visited Peking University (PKU), where he was warmly received by PKU Council Chair Hao Ping and PKU President Gong Qihuang. Ning Qi, vice council chair and vice president of PKU, attended the meeting.

Hao Ping presents a souvenir to Jean-Pierre Raffarin

Gong Qihuang presents a souvenir to Jean-Pierre Raffarin

Ahead of the meeting, PKU's Yenching Academy held an official ceremony to appoint Jean-Pierre Raffarin as the Shuhsi Hsü Chair Professor of Yenching Academy of PKU.


Dean of Yenching Academy Dong Qiang, the event host, kicked off the ceremony with his welcome address delivered to a room of teeming Yenching Scholars and staff. Prof. Dong expressed his warm appreciation to all present and discussed the rationale for selecting Mr. Raffarin for the professorship position. His speech also touched upon his friendship with the former Prime Minister, highlighting the efforts of Mr. Raffarin in facilitating China-France cooperation and people-to-people exchanges across various domains, including politics, economics, culture, and society.

Ning Qi

Ning Qi delivered a welcome address on behalf of Peking University. She congratulated Mr. Raffarin for being named Shuhsi Hsü Chair Professor of Yenching Academy, noting her joy to witness this momentous event in the history of the Academy. Prof. Ning also talked about the former Prime Minister’s role in promoting peaceful China-France bilateral ties, friendly relations, and efforts to strengthen exchanges between Chinese and French youths through various youth development programs and initiatives. 


Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin took to the podium to deliver a speech. He thanked the host, Yenching Academy, and Peking University for the Chair Professorship appointment. He noted his love to engage young people in discussions about their visions of the world’s future, adding that this position at Yenching Academy is an excellent platform to continue his engagement to impact the future generation of global leaders.

The former Prime Minister’s speech also touched upon China’s flagship infrastructure connectivity and economic development project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), underscoring three significant talking points: infrastructure for peace and development, connectivity and communication, and consensus building for collective international actions.


Later in his visit, Mr. Raffarin sat with Yenching Scholars for a question-and-answer session, discussing several issues, including the “Belt and Road Initiative,” cultural exchanges between China and France, and the responsibility and role of the young generation in the future. 

Mr. Raffarin pressed for further dialogues with the Chinese as there are so many things both sides can learn from each other. He highlighted the importance of the 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism as a massive step in fast-tracking cultural understanding between both nations through common cultural actions, including art, literature, and music. He also stressed the need for more people-to-people exchanges and a pragmatic approach to viewing China, its history, and its transition since the reform and opening-up.


To round off the packed day’s activities, Dean Dong accompanied Raffarin on a walk around the Yanyuan and other landmarks to learn about the rich, energetic, and elegant campus life at Peking University. Mr. Raffarin spoke highly of the Weiming Lake and the autumn scenery around the campus, taking photographs of the picturesque view.

This article was featured in the special coverage of PKU's Global Engagement Year.


Source: Yenching Academy