Peking University, November 11, 2025: On November 5, a delegation of over 50 French scientists led by Antoine Petit, Chairman of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), visited Peking University(PKU). The visit marked a new chapter in the long-standing scientific partnership between the two institutions.
The delegation was received by He Guangcai, Chair of the PKU Council, and Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University, with Executive Vice President Zhang Jin and Vice President Fang Fang in attendance.
He Guangcai welcomed President Petit and his delegation, congratulated CNRS on the 30th anniversary of its China Office, and emphasized that China–France cooperation has long played a pioneering role in China’s engagement with the West. He expressed hope that PKU and CNRS would further broaden research fields and deepen cooperation, contributing to a community with a shared future for humankind.
Gong Qihuang noted that internationalization remains a central pillar of Peking University’s development strategy and that the university is dedicated to fostering deeper and higher-quality global engagement. He highlighted joint achievements in biomedical imaging, particle and astroparticle physics, and atmospheric chemistry, expressing confidence that joint doctoral programs and interdisciplinary projects will further advance collaboration.
Antoine Petit expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and spoke highly of the achievements of the PKU–CNRS partnership. He said the visit, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the CNRS China Office, reflected the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two institutions, and reaffirmed CNRS’s commitment to addressing global scientific challenges together.
The French delegation then participated in an academic exchange conference held at the Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center, with opening remarks by Fang Fang. Scholars from both sides presented research on global environmental change, atmospheric chemistry, particle physics, and biological imaging, with faculty and researchers from relevant departments in attendance.
The academic exchange conference was held at Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center.
Written by: Wang Pincheng
Edited by: Wu Hiuman, Chen Shizhuo
Source: PKU News (
Chinese)
