Source: Office of International Cooperation & Exchange
Written by: Office of International Cooperation &Exchange
Translated by: Li Peiman
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On the morning of May 14, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Elysée Treaty, Mr. Bruno Bisson, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of France in Guangzhou, and Mr. Stefan Gallon, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Guangzhou, came to Sun Yat-sen University and gave a joint lecture in the School of Foreign Languages. Chang Chenguang, Dean of School of Foreign Languages; Xu Yao, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation & Exchange; Professor Wang Beibei, Head of German Department; Associate Professor Zeng Xiaoyang, Head of French Department; and over 100 teachers and students took part in this activity.
Mr. Bruno Bisson and Mr. Stefan Gallon started from the history of France and Germany. The two countries were closely connected but there were conflicts and wars. The two countries crossed the chasm of conflict and strengthened cooperation especially in European integration. They also talked about the process of the signing of the Elysée Treaty, its important role in promoting cooperation and its influence on current development of both countries. They expressed their confidence to jointly cope with the challenges in the future.

After the lecture, the two Consul Generals had a wonderful interaction with the teachers and students on issues including the relationship between France and Germany after the new French President took office; what the French and German governments have done to enhance mutual understanding between younger generation; the cultural exchange programs launched by the Embassies and Consulates General of France and Germany to enhance mutual understanding among French, German and Chinese youth; the influence of Eastern and Western cultures; and what the development of the Elysée Treaty (the relationship between France and Germany) could provide for the relationship between China and Japan.