On the morning of September 20, French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary, Consul General of France in Shanghai Joan Valadou, Minister Counselor for Culture, Education and Scientific Affairs of the French Embassy in China & Director of the French Cultural Center Nicolas Pillerel, Political News Consul of Consulate General of France in Shanghai Louis Belmont, Educational Consul Séverine Boué visited EDNA Joint Institute, China Academy of Art (NACAA). Jin Yibin, Chairman of the Committee of Academy Affairs of China Academy of Art (CAA), met with the visiting delegation.

Bertrand Lortholary engaged in conversations with teachers and students of NACAA and received an overview of CAA’s history, its achievements in discipline development and faculty building, and its long history of cultural exchanges with France. He was informed of the educational philosophy, goal and curriculum of NACAA and listened to project reports by undergraduate students.

Both sides shared their views and ideas on the topics of common concern such as continuously strengthening Sino-French cultural exchange and higher education collaboration models, and they also exchanged gifts.

Bertrand Lortholary stated that CAA is an institution of art education with a history of nearly a century, and Sino-French cultural exchanges also have a long history, which are valuable assets for both countries. Chinese and French colleges have always played an important role in promoting exchanges between the two nations, with NACAA being a paradigm. Next year marks the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China, as well as the 100^th anniversary of the meeting of CAA’s founding members in Strasbourg. Bertrand Lortholary expressed his wish that CAA will play a greater role in promoting higher art education and cultural exchanges between France and China.

Jin Yibin stated that CAA has been maintaining a profound connection with France since its establishment. In adherence to its commitments and distinct internationalization strategy, the Academy focuses on “introducing Western art, reviewing Chinese art, integrating Chinese and Western art, and creating art of the era” as its motto. As a product of in-depth Sino-French collaboration in economy, culture and education, NACAA will continue to thrive in art and design education and become a new ambassador of Sino-French cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Previously, Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary and his delegation visited Master Square in Xiangshan Campus, CAA History Museum, and Crafts Museum of CAA.

Since its creation as per the approval of the Chinese Ministry of Education in April 2022 as the first Sino-foreign collaborative education institution under CAA, NACAA has been leveraging the complementary strengths of CAA and EDNA, including their high-quality educational resources, advanced instructional models, cutting-edge curriculums, first-class faculty, and profound cultural heritage and working with global partners and educators. Its educational programs feature international elements, interdisciplinary orientation, and alignment with industry development and research. Its overarching goal is to build a forward-looking and innovative world-class design discipline with a mission of the times, global perspectives, and local characteristics, and ultimately to serve the national and subnational development strategies, promote CAA’s “Double First Class” efforts in design discipline and train a new generation of future-oriented designers.