Chongqing - On March 21, the China-France Business Council visited Chongqing to enhance their collaboration. France plays a key role in Chongqing's global expansion, with Toulouse being its first international sister city.

According to the Chongqing Customs District, Chongqing's exports to France reached 9.38 billion yuan (USD 1.29 billion) in 2023, up 24.8% year over year. Major exports included laptops, textiles, apparel, and auto parts.

Jean Zimmermann, JCDecaux's General Manager, explained that the company began operating in Chongqing's airports as one of the key players in the city's outdoor media landscape.

JCDecaux is also present in Chongqing's public transportation and railway system, managing media and advertising across airports, buses, and rail networks. 

"It's been a pleasure working in Chongqing," said Zimmermann. "Chongqing is a very dynamic city. People are extremely willing and happy to participate in projects. It's been a fantastic experience for us."

Sybille Dubois-Fontaine, CEO of the France China Committee, elaborated on the institution's role. It aims to be an economic planning platform to help Chinese and French companies connect more regularly and promote greater business collaboration. 

"We have already held meetings in Shanghai and Hangzhou and today in Chongqing. We strongly believe that Chongqing is a great opportunity for companies because it is economically vibrant and offers numerous opportunities, especially in the environmental sector, as well as in industrial and technological cooperation," Fontaine shared.

On March 21, the China-France Business Council visited Chongqing to strengthen cooperation further. (Photo/Chen Zhan)

The event in Chongqing attracted nearly a hundred Chinese and French companies, providing a significant platform to boost bilateral cooperation. 

Chongqing and France cooperate extensively in various fields, such as economy, culture, and education. For example, Suez Group has invested over 4 billion yuan in Chongqing, STMicroelectronics has completed the country's first 8-inch automotive-grade silicon carbide power chip mass production line, and Mersen has established its only production base in China in Chongqing.