Advancing Sino-French Multidimensional Cooperation｜China POCY Group and the Académie des Sciences d’Outre-Mer Reach Strategic Cooperation Consensus

On May 13, a high-level delegation visited the headquarters of China POCY Group to explore practical collaboration in support of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in the education sector. The delegation included Dominique Barjot, Academician and President of the Académie des Sciences d’Outre-Mer (Academy of Overseas Sciences, France); Madame Rang-Ri Park Barjot; and Du Yue, Secretary-General of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations (WFUCA), former Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, and former Director of Intersectoral Cooperation and Partnerships at UNESCO’s Africa Department.

The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Yao Yichun, President of China POCY Group and Chairman of the Integration of Industry and Education Committee of WFUCA. Accompanying the meeting were Mr. Yang Zhilin, Executive President; Mr. Ding Guosheng, Vice President; Ms. Ma Jia, Deputy General Manager of the Strategic Investment and Brand Promotion Center; Mr. Yun Tao, Director of the International Business Division; and Mr. Wang Teng, Deputy Director of the same division.

During the roundtable discussion, Prof. Dominique Barjot spoke highly of China POCY Group’s achievements across various fields. He noted that China and France share great potential for cooperation in education, especially in vocational education, which serves as a critical bridge between academia and industry and plays a vital role in supporting socio-economic development.

Prof. Barjot emphasized that Sino-French cooperation should not be limited to the bilateral level. The Académie des Sciences d’Outre-Mer is willing to leverage its academic influence and resource networks across French-speaking countries to jointly build a global vocational education cooperation network, using Sino-French partnership as a starting point.

Mr. Du Yue highlighted the vast potential for collaboration between both sides. He expressed hope for the establishment of a long-term exchange mechanism and called for pragmatic cooperation in talent cultivation and scientific innovation, contributing to new models of international educational partnerships with demonstrative impact—ultimately advancing educational equity and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr. Yao Yichun extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the group’s major achievements in vocational education, industry-education integration, and international innovation. He shared that China POCY Group has actively explored a multi-dimensional, cross-sector approach to advancing internationalized vocational education in recent years, with rich experience in Sino-foreign cooperative programs, investment in vocational education towns, institutional development, and skills training.
He expressed the group's commitment to integrating educational resources from China and France, fully leveraging complementary strengths to promote deeper cultural and educational exchanges, and enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations.

The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on talent development, academic collaboration, educational research, and cultural exchange. They reached a preliminary consensus on establishing a comprehensive and long-term cooperation mechanism to promote bilateral and multilateral collaboration in higher education, scientific research, and culture, with a focus on China, Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.

During the three-day visit, the delegation also visited Hebei University and Hebei Agricultural University, where they reached consensus on a number of concrete cooperative projects. In addition, the delegation toured Heguang Academy Museum, the Ming City Wall Ruins Park, and other cultural landmarks, gaining first-hand experience of the unique charm of Chinese culture.