Cultural connections between China and French town of Montargis

Montargis is called "Little Venice" due to its charming watery cityscape. Located about 100 kilometers south of Paris, the town is not only a key tourist destination in France, but also boasts much historical significance.

Montargis is one of the top priorities for many Chinese tourists who wish to venerate early Chinese revolutionaries as it is the birthplace of the famous Work-Study Movement.

The movement has promoted cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and France. Between 1919 and 1921, many ambitious young Chinese went to France, where they worked in factories in Montargis and other French cities to pay for their studies. Many youngsters became interested in Marxism and established one of the earliest Chinese Communist groups in the European country. Deng Xiaoping, the late Chinese leader and the chief architect of China's reform and opening-up, was among these students.

In 1920, 16-year-old Deng Xiaoping arrived in France. During his time in Montargis, Deng frequently interacted with other Chinese youths, gaining a deeper understanding of both global and Chinese contexts. This experience is considered to have propelled him towards exploring the future of China, said Wang Peiwen, curator of the Chinese Work-Study Movement Museum in Montargis.

The Chinese Work-Study Movement Museum officially opened in August 2016. According to Wang, French students visit the museum to learn about the unique aspect of Sino-French history.

The over 300-year-old building was once a key site where Chinese students participating in the work-study program in France engaged in the study, research and promotion of Marxism. At present, it is a hub for cultural exchange between China and France.