[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As climate change reshapes the global agenda, Shandong province and France are turning shared green goals into local action. A China–France environment exhibition opened at the Center Pompidou in Jinan, capital of the province, on Oct 18 alongside the third "Learning through travel in Shandong" French youth study tour. More than 130 guests from both sides attended.

The event featured student performances, children's environmental speeches and talks by French students. Visitors joined Little Prince-themed photo activities, China–France cultural quizzes, and an ecology class. A thematic exhibition, a light pollution workshop and the center's permanent collection were also opened to the public.

The event reflects Shandong's broader green cooperation with France. 

The province has hosted an Environment Month exhibition for years, worked with Brittany Region to drive marine governance development, and partnered with Brest's national botanical garden on endangered plant conservation. 

Its "Shandong–France matchmaking trade" brand, launched with the French embassy in China, focuses on sustainability. The first matchmaking session drew French giants including EDF France, Veolia, and Schneider Electric.

Representatives from Shandong province and France pose for a group photo at the opening event of the China–France environment exhibition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Youth exchanges underpin these ties. Over the past three years, Shandong has enrolled nearly 100 Chinese-language students from the Brittany Region. The "Learning through travel in Shandong" program has brought French students to the Confucius Cultural Festival, National Day receptions, and the Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation Week.

A French teacher holds a seminar with Chinese students. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong is strengthening its contribution to the China–France comprehensive strategic partnership through local exchanges. These are a vital extension of bilateral ties. 

The province's experience shows that cooperation with France should both consolidate flagship projects with key sister cities and use them as pivots to expand broader, deeper cooperation across France. 

With ecology as the main thread, the province will coordinate public outreach, research and industry, while advancing youth and cultural exchanges, so that practical cooperation and people-to-people bonds reinforce each other.