On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and driven the impetus of Ms. Sylvie Berman, French Ambassador to China, and Mr. Yang Yuliang, former President of Fudan Univeristy, established the Center for French Studies(CFS). Fudan University is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China with a long history of French researches. It has established a long-term cooperative relationship of teaching and research with many famous French universities and research institutes, including Paris Normal University, Paris University, Paris Political College, Lyon Normal University, Strasbourg University, French Academy of Higher Social Sciences and the Oriental Institute of Language and Culture and National Library of France, etc. In 1980, the then-French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, visited Fudan to deepen the relationship between both sides. Since then, Mr. D'Estaing visited Fudan on occasions in 2004 and 2010 to deliver speeches to Fudan students. The establishment of CFS is of strategic significance. As an interdisciplinary platform, it will integrate the resources on French studies at Fudan as its disciplines cover humanities and social sciences such as literature, history, philosophy, politics, economy, society and law. Fudan University takes the lead in these fields and enjoys world influence. The CFS would endeavor to serve as a platform for accepting French visiting scholars and students, as well as providing academic support for Chinese researchers to promote cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration between Chinese and French scholars. It is of great significance for deepening the educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and France. In recent years, Fudan University has established four platforms in the field of Humanities and social sciences: the Center for International Studies of Chinese Civilization, the Institute of International Studies, the Institute of Development Studies and the Forum of Think Tanks in Chinese Universities. The fore-mentioned platforms in extensive linkage with the French Research Centre, will be bound to facilitate the cooperation with French institutions and promote renowned French scholars’ visits. Professor Zhang Ji takes up the post of Director of the Center for French Studies at Fudan University.
