French ex-PM Raffarin announces launch of scholarship named after late Chinese diplomat

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has announced here the official launch of a scholarship named after late Chinese diplomat and former Chinese ambassador to France Wu Jianmin.

Founded by the association "Friends of Wu Jianmin", the scholarship is created to deepen French young scholars' understanding of China by funding their visits to China.

Wu Jianmin was a veteran Chinese diplomat and served as Chinese ambassador to France between 1998 and 2003. He was killed in a car crash in June 2016.

Raffarin noted that Wu, the former Chinese ambassador, was dedicated to promoting dialogues among different cultures and different countries.

The scholarship aims to pass down the values of promoting dialogue and peace that Wu had continued to uphold, according to Raffarin.

"In this highly troubled world, we appreciate the role of stability that China plays, especially today by supporting multilateral initiatives. We need seriousness in building peace," Raffarin stressed, noting the significance of forging strategic, friendly ties between France and China.

The Wu Jianmin Scholarship is open to French postgraduate students in disciplines of political science, international politics, Chinese language, Chinese history and civilization, management and law and to young French scholars aged under 35 who focus on China studies.

In its initial edition, the scholarship will support ten successful applicants for their visit to China from May 27 to June 10, 2017 where they will meet people from China's government departments, cities, universities, think-tanks and enterprises. Endit