China's Governance and Worldwide Development Global Dialogue held in Lyon

The French session of the China's Governance and Worldwide Development Global Dialogue took place in Lyon on November 3. Co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG), the Chinese Embassy in France, the Chinese Consulate General in Lyon and CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne, Saint-Etienne and Roanne, the event brought together nearly 100 guests from political, business and academic circles in China and France.

Shen Haixiong, president of CMG, delivered a video address. Chinese Ambassador to France Deng Li sent a written address. Also addressing the event were Yu Jiang, Chinese Consul General in Lyon; Thomas San Marco, vice president of CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne; Alain Labat, vice president of the New Franco-Chinese Institute; Joël Ruet, founding president of The Bridge Tank; and Alain Mérieux, president of Fondation Mérieux and recipient of the China Reform Friendship Medal, who delivered a video address.

Shen outlined the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s two answers to overcoming the historical cycle of rise and fall: letting the people supervise the government and pursuing self-reform. He noted that the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee had made systematic plans for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance. China's governance experience, he added, could offer valuable insights for the world.

Deng stressed the CPC's leadership, the unity of the Chinese people and long-term planning as the foundations of China's governance, calling for stronger China-France strategic communication and practical cooperation.

Yu pointed to opportunities for China-France cooperation in advanced manufacturing, the green economy, digital technology and biomedicine, as China's policies to stabilize foreign investment and improve its business environment create favorable conditions for closer ties.

San Marco emphasized that China-France economic cooperation should go beyond traditional trade. He highlighted Lyon's longstanding business ties with China and the chamber's role in promoting cooperation in healthcare, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.

Labat noted that despite trade differences and frictions in China-EU economic relations, dialogue remained essential to resolving disputes and expanding cooperation, with strong industrial ties offering considerable potential.

Ruet underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges, recalling Zhou Enlai and other early CPC members' participation in the work-study movement in Lyon. He called for greater mutual understanding through continued dialogue.

Mérieux, on his second visit to China this year, highlighted the country's development and growing global influence in medicine and biosciences. Drawing on his 48 years of engagement with China, he called for a stronger and more dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries based on mutual respect.

During the dialogue session, participants discussed China's governance experience, new avenues for bilateral cooperation and the future of China-France relations amid global changes. They praised China's progress in scientific innovation and industrial upgrading, and called for closer cooperation in scientific research, healthcare and energy transition.