On the morning of September 16 local time, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) and the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Chine en France (CCICF) jointly held a launch event in Paris for the Sustainable Development Report of Chinese Enterprises in France. Following the first joint social responsibility report issued by Chinese enterprises in France in 2024, this second collective report, published in Chinese, English, and French, outlines their principles and practices over the past two years in compliant operations and local engagement, including economic contributions, green transition, community development, and people-to-people exchanges. It highlights their commitment to deepening their roots in France and advancing green development together. At the event, a CGN representative introduced the report on behalf of the participating companies.

More than 150 representatives from Chinese and French political, business, local government, and corporate circles attended the event, including Wang Dong, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in France; Vincent Louault, Vice-President of the France-China Friendship Group of the French Senate; Sybille Dubois-Fontaine Turne, Secretary-General of the France-China Committee; Xiao Lijun, President of the CCICF; Sacha Houlié, Member of the French National Assembly; and Myriam Vigroux, Mayor of Assac.

Wang Dong stated that China has remained France's largest Asian source of investment for several consecutive years, with more than 200 Chinese enterprises operating in France and creating approximately 24,000 direct jobs. He expressed hope that France would foster a fair, transparent, and predictable business environment for Chinese companies, thereby advancing mutually beneficial, stable, and sustainable bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Deepening Local Presence in France and Creating Value through Industrial Synergy

At the meeting, Xiao Lijun, President of the CCICF, outlined the commitment of Chinese enterprises in France to advancing sustainable development. He noted that Chinese companies have prioritized "responsibility" as a core theme, focusing efforts on four fronts: local development, green development, employee and local community engagement, and regulatory compliance paired with long-term business operation. Moving forward, CCICF will support member enterprises in integrating more closely into the local community, fostering mutual trust through pragmatic and transparent initiatives, and further advancing China-France cooperation.

From digital infrastructure and major equipment to financial services, cross-border payments, and logistics, Chinese enterprises in France are serving the local market with specialized expertise. China Mobile International (France) has continued to deepen cooperation with local industrial-chain companies, research institutions, and industry partners, delivering a high-quality 5G private-network smart factory project that helps industries to improve quality and efficiency. SANY France has participated in quarrying, public works, and major cross-border infrastructure projects, including the Lyon–Turin Tunnel, earning customer recognition for product performance, service responsiveness, and partnerships. The Paris branch of China Construction Bank (Europe) provides full-lifecycle credit and financing support for local companies involved in the construction and upgrading of major transport infrastructure, including highways and airports. The Paris branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Europe), together with the Guangdong Culture and Tourism Overseas Promotion Center, organized an event in Paris to promote cross-border renminbi(RMB) use and payment facilitation. COSCO SHIPPING Lines (France) successfully completed the international transport of China Media Group's 8K ultra-high-definition broadcast vehicle with no delays or cargo damage.

French guests commended Chinese enterprises for their sustainable development practices rooted in the French market. Vincent Louault, Vice-President of the France-China Friendship Group of the French Senate, noted: "Amid the rapid acceleration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and profound shifts across the global landscape, France and China must uphold more important mutual respect, enhance understanding and trust, consolidate longstanding friendship, and deepen pragmatic cooperation across all sectors. This not only aligns with our shared interests but also represents a pragmatic choice to address global challenges and navigate modern developments. By embedding sustainable development into their core business strategies and executing concrete initiatives, Chinese enterprises in France demonstrate a strong commitment to building trust and strengthening partnerships in an interconnected world."

Driving Green and Low-Carbon Transition, Working together for a Clean and Beautiful Future

During the launch event, a roundtable themed "Green Development, Creating a Shared Future" brought together nine representatives from Chinese and French political, business, energy, and research sectors. They discussed industrial transformation in support of France's carbon-neutrality goals, clean energy cooperation, green finance, ecological protection, and collaborative innovation between Chinese and French companies, exploring pathways to green development.

As France advances toward its carbon neutrality goals, Chinese enterprises in France have integrated green principles into operations, investments, and project practices. PetroChina International (London) Company Limited's Lavera Refinery in Marseille, France, has minimized the environmental impact of its operations through measures such as optimizing pollution prevention and control, optimizing production processes, and conducting water-saving research, achieving a waste recycling rate of over 50%. A member enterprise of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in France leveraged its design and management capabilities in low-carbon industrial buildings to help build low-carbon industrial facilities for a brandy estate in France. Bank of China, Paris Branch has successfully issued green bonds and listed them on Euronext Paris, providing financing for offshore wind power projects in the UK and Poland, as well as specialized carbon trading financial services for major energy companies. Export-Import Bank of China, Paris Branch provided financing support for 23 green container vessels of CMA CGM Group, with the financing scale exceeding US$400 million by February 2026. CGN Europe Energy continuously implemented bird and bat protection initiatives across wind farms; through targeted monitoring, breeding, and precise nest protection for sensitive harrier species, it helped increase the local harrier reproduction rate by 50%.

Sybille Dubois-Fontaine, Secretary-General of the France-China Committee, highly commended the corporate responsibility and practical actions of Chinese enterprises in France. She noted that Chinese enterprises have deeply integrated into local French society, not only creating positive value for local communities and society, but also enhancing their own long-term competitiveness and social recognition, injecting positive momentum into more robustand sustainable development of China-France economic and trade cooperation.

Building Bridges for Cultural Dialogue and Deepening People-to-People Exchanges Between China and France

At the event, Myriam Vigroux, Mayor of Assac, shared the town's experience of collaboration with CGN to create the "From Wind Turbines to Windmills" hiking trail. For six consecutive years, the two sides have used the trail's tourism resources to organize educational study visits for students and summer open days for the public, integrating clean energy projects with local cultural tourism and science education. This locally rooted, public-facing partnership illustrates how Chinese enterprises in France can foster mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges.

▲ Walking through France's Viapres Wind Farm to create a green classroom

From the integration of culture and tourism to sports and cultural exchanges, and from corporate open days to festive community activities, Chinese enterprises in France have continuously expanded the breadth and depth of cross-cultural dialogue. China Eastern Airlines' Europe Marketing Center has consistently supported the "100 French Youths of Chinese Descent Visit China" program and organized staff trips to China for the "Soaring Over Mountains and Seas, Building Dreams Together" cultural experience campaign. Sinoma Construction France organized signature events such as the "China-France Night" and Oriental Garden Parties to promote dialogue and exchange between Chinese and French civilizations. CGN has hosted the "CGN Open Day" for nine consecutive years, staging open days at locations including the La Plaine Hocquélus Wind Farm and Assac, inviting community representatives to explore wind farms firsthand and transforming "green energy" into "green classrooms."

Notably, as an integral part of the event, the venue offered traditional Chinese cultural experiences, including Chinese folk music, tea art, calligraphy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. At the conclusion of the event, French employees of Chinese enterprises delivered a live performance of "The Protagonist" in the Qinqiang opera style, highlighting the cultural integration between China and France and providing a vivid conclusion to the successful launch event.