On June 21, a seminar marking the 15th anniversary of the “150 Chinese Planners to France Program” (“program” hereinafter), jointly organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the French Embassy in China, was held in Beijing. The seminar aimed at deepening Sino-French cooperation in territorial and spatial planning. Vice Minister of Natural Resources Zhuang Shaoqin and French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary addressed the seminar. The seminar was moderated by Wu Haiyang, Chief Planner of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Initiated in 2009 under a bilateral cooperation agreement on sustainable urban development between China and France, the program has so far sent 87 Chinese planners to France for further studies. This fall, a new batch of eight planners will embark on a study trip to France.
Zhuang Shaoqin highlighted the historical and cultural ties between China and France, as well as the mutual respect and admiration existing between the two nations. He noted China’s significant achievements in spatial planning driven by an “all-in-one” planning approach that encompassed green, human-centered and smart planning. Recognizing the many commonalities between the two countries, Zhuang expressed hope that Chinese planners would learn from France’s advanced concepts and practices during their stay and act as cultural ambassadors, fostering new highlights in Sino-French cooperation.
Ambassador Lortholary stressed the importance of sustainable development amidst challenges like climate change and rapid urbanization. He recognized the program’s tangible results and expressed his desire for continued collaboration in spatial planning to jointly address global challenges.
Representatives from the French Embassy, AREP Group, AIA Life Designers, and ARCHINA, along with planners who participated in the exchange, engaged in in-depth discussions and exchange of views. Officials from relevant departments and institutions of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the China Association of City Planning, and 39 domestic planning organizations attended the seminar.
A BMICPD delegated led by Deputy Director He Qin took part in the seminar. The delegation consisted of program participants from the BMICPD such as Xu Biying (2012), Zhao Qingnan (2013), Yang Nan (2014), Yang Chun (2015), Cui Qi (2016), Chang Qing (2017), Guo Jing (2018), Gao Ya (2020/23), and Wu Yimin (2024). BMICPD has actively participated in the program over the years, showcasing the capital’s planning achievements and the talents of its young planners. This engagement has expanded the global perspectives of the Institute and promoted collaboration with Parisian planning institutions, leaving a significant impact over talent development and the building of an international planning network.
