On a winter day at Sichuan University, the warm sun shines gently, and ginkgo trees are dyed golden.
At 15:30, Macron's motorcade entered the Wangjiang Campus through the north gate, passed Mingde Building, and arrived at the Stadium Square via Hongyi Road. Along the way, Macron rolled down the car window and waved to teachers and students. After getting off the car, he was warmly welcomed by the students. He quickly walked among them, shaking hands and chatting with everyone.
The meeting between Macron and Sichuan University students was held at Wangjiang Stadium, hosted by Vice President Zhao Changsheng.
President Wang Jinsong extended a warm welcome to President Macron and his delegation on behalf of the university. In his speech, he specifically mentioned that he led a delegation to visit President Macron's alma mater, Paris X University, in January last year. He believed that President Macron's speech this time would further enhance the friendship between China and France and promote the cooperation between Sichuan University and French universities and research institutions to a higher level.
At the meeting, Macron delivered a wonderful speech. The atmosphere on site was warm. Students enthusiastically asked questions on topics such as French cultural works, friendship between Chinese and French youth, the cultivation of versatile talents in the AI era, and cooperation between Chinese and French universities. Macron answered the students' questions warmly.
At the warm invitation of the students, Macron signed his name in the guest book for Sichuan University students as a souvenir, welcoming young students to study and exchange in France.
After the speech, Secretary of the Party Committee Gan Lin presented the *Collection of Representative Treasures from Sichuan University Museum* to Macron on behalf of the university. The series includes representative collections of the Sichuan University Museum (founded in 1914), covering calligraphy and painting, porcelain, seals, currency, shadow puppetry, and Tibetan Buddhist art. These cultural relics vividly showcase the unique history and culture of Southwest China, highlighting the heritage and inheritance of excellent traditional Chinese culture.
Before leaving, Macron said to the Sichuan University students: “Welcome everyone to France! You are welcome at any time!” Then he took the initiative to walk to the students to shake hands and say goodbye, which was warmly received by the students. Macron stopped several times to take photos with the students and left amid applause.
Before getting into the car to leave, Macron quickly walked to the crowd again and waved goodbye to everyone.
Sichuan University is one of the earliest universities in China to offer French education. It established the French Language Department at the beginning of its founding in 1896. Historically, many teachers and students—including former President Wu Yuzhang, biologist Zhou Taixuan, and famous writer Ba Jin—have studied in France. The university has always attached great importance to cooperation with French universities and research institutions. It has established cooperative relations with Paris X University, Sciences Po Paris, University of Toulouse, National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), and University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour. It has carried out extensive cooperation in mathematics, chemistry, materials science, and traditional culture, achieving fruitful results and contributing to promoting educational and scientific research cooperation between the two countries and enhancing China-France friendship.
Sichuan University
Nicknamed "SCU", it is located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is a national key university directly under the Ministry of Education, a university directly managed by the Central Government, and a high-level research-oriented comprehensive university key built by the state in western China. It is listed as a national "Double First-Class" construction university (Class A), a "985 Project" and "211 Project" university. It is also selected into the list of units with independent review of degree authorization, the Everest Plan, the Strong Foundation Plan, the Excellence Plan, the 2011 Plan, the 111 Plan, the Excellent Doctor Education and Training Plan, the Excellent Engineer Education and Training Plan, the Excellent Legal Talent Education and Training Plan, and is a member of the Medical "Double First-Class" Construction Alliance.
The university was formed by the merger of three national key universities—the former Sichuan University, the former Chengdu University of Science and Technology, and the former West China University of Medical Sciences—through two rounds of mergers. The former Sichuan University traces its roots to the Sichuan Chinese-Western School founded in 1896; the former Chengdu University of Science and Technology was one of the first multi-disciplinary engineering universities established during the departmental adjustment of New China; the former West China University of Medical Sciences originated from West China Union University (founded in 1910 by Western Christian church organizations). In 1994, the former Sichuan University and the former Chengdu University of Science and Technology merged to form Sichuan Union University; in 1998, the name "Sichuan University" was restored; in 2000, it merged with the former West China University of Medical Sciences to form the new Sichuan University. On September 29, 2025, the inauguration ceremony of the Meishan Campus of Sichuan University was held at Min'e Building, and the Meishan Campus was officially put into use.
