In celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, and with a focus on industrial and cultural exchanges, Beijing E-Town launched the Sino-French Industrial and Cultural Exchange Week on Jan 28. 

Dozens of French-funded enterprises and leading enterprises in future industries from both inside and outside the area participated in the opening ceremony.

Sino-French Industrial and Cultural Exchange Week [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

Mr. Pierre Lafren, former Prime Minister of France, delivered a speech via video.

Established in 1992, Beijing E-Town welcomed its first Sino-French joint venture in 1993, marking the beginning of French capital and enterprises settling in the area. Beijing E-Town brings together more than 90,000 domestic and foreign companies from 62 countries and regions, with French-funded enterprises shining as a brilliant pearl, stated Zhang Qiang, secretary of the Working Committee of Beijing E-Town.

Nine French-funded enterprises awarded the E-Town New Area "Development Partner" commemorative plaque. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

During the opening ceremony, nine French-funded enterprises including Schneider (Beijing) Low Voltage Co and Sanofi (Beijing) Pharmaceutical Co were awarded the E-Town New Area "Development Partner" commemorative plaque. 

Jean-Pierre Schmitt, vice president of Global Sales at Faurecia, Andrew Happer, president of HBPO GmbH Asia Pacific, and Depoorter Nicolas, deputy chief engineer of Bosch Rexroth China, and 13 other heads of domestic and foreign-funded enterprises received the "Honorary E-Town Companies" commemorative plaque.

Andrew Happer mentioned, "In the past decade, thanks to the favorable business environment in E-Town, HBPO GmbH has achieved development results beyond expectations."

On the same day, a roundtable dialogue with the theme of "New Opportunities for Bilateral Investment in Future Industries of Sino-French Enterprises" was held with representatives from six Sino-French enterprises, namely, the China Industrial Overseas Development Association, Schneider, Mindray Medical, Shanghai Pharma Group, Lingdong Technology, and Orange.

In addition, the "Sino-French Industrial Exchange Center of Beijing E-Town" was officially unveiled at Schneider Electric, becoming a platform for regular exchanges between Chinese and French enterprises. 

The China Industrial Overseas Development Association and the Beijing E-Town Enterprise Association also jointly initiated the future industry alliance.

During the Sino-French Industrial and Cultural Exchange Week, activities such as "Discovering the Innovation City" – Sino-French media visit to Beijing E-Town, and "Hand-Painting the Livable City" – Chinese and French children drawing E-Town, will also be held.