On January 10th, the France Chamber of Commerce (Shandong) successfully hosted its 2025 Snake Year Spring Festival Gathering at La Vieille Shandong Restaurant in Paris.

The event received enthusiastic participation from the Chamber’s leadership team and council members, along with representatives from Shandong-based enterprises operating in France and outstanding Shandong expatriates living in France.

The Spring Festival gathering began with warm applause. Chamber Secretary General Li Qingyun and Financial Director Jia Fangzhou jointly hosted the event, delivering New Year greetings to the guests and members present. They expressed heartfelt thanks for everyone’s continued support.

The event began with a report from Financial Director Jia Fangzhou, who provided an overview of the Chamber’s financial situation to the leadership team. In 2024, the Chamber’s financial standing steadily improved, reaching its best historical level, laying a solid foundation for future growth.

Following this, Secretary General Li Qingyun summarized the Secretariat’s achievements in 2024 and announced the latest personnel adjustments within the Chamber.

The newly appointed three vice presidents, who are founding members of the Chamber, have made significant contributions to its development. The Chamber expressed deep gratitude for this. Sun Yuanyuan, an outstanding representative of the Chinese community, has been actively promoting exchanges between the Chamber and Chinese women, making efforts to deepen cultural and cooperative ties between China and France.

Chamber President Liu Sheng then provided a comprehensive summary of the Chamber’s activities in the past year and delivered a spirited New Year address. He reviewed the Chamber’s achievements in 2024 and laid out a vision for 2025. He emphasized that the French Shandong Chamber serves as a bridge, providing quality services to member enterprises and various individuals. The Chamber has successfully implemented many practical cooperation projects, boosting economic and cultural exchanges between Shandong and France to new heights.

The summary also noted that in the past year, the Chamber cooperated in hosting dozens of delegations from various cities and provinces in Shandong for business promotions, trade negotiations, and other activities in France. These practical and efficient interactions contributed to bilateral exchanges between Shandong and France and facilitated European enterprises investing in Shandong, as well as Shandong enterprises expanding into Europe. Moving forward, the Shandong Chamber will collaborate with member enterprises and individuals to build platforms for cooperation in various fields, continue to serve as a bridge for exchanges between China and France, tell the stories of China and Shandong, and stay true to its mission by shouldering the responsibility of the times.

President Liu pointed out that Shandong communities in France have many outstanding representatives in various fields. Chamber members should aspire to serve society, give back to their hometown, and contribute to China's reform and opening up, as well as the economic development and friendly relations between China and France.

In his subsequent remarks, President Liu Sheng reiterated that, during this joyful occasion of the Spring Festival, the Chamber would stay true to its original mission. It will continue to be a steadfast supporter of reform and opening-up, an active promoter of China-France friendship, a strong advocate for peace and unity, and a leading force in fostering a harmonious community of overseas Chinese, providing ongoing support for the development of member enterprises and the Chinese community abroad.

In his subsequent remarks, Executive President Li Yingfeng, a founding member of the Chamber’s leadership team, wished everyone a Happy New Year and reflected on the Chamber’s achievements and memorable moments since its founding. Li Yingfeng stated that he would continue to actively participate in the management work of the Chamber in the coming year, contributing to its development.

The gathering was filled with a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. During the dinner, member representatives shared their experiences and reflections on joining the French Shandong Chamber. Guests engaged in heartfelt conversations, reminiscing about their hometowns. The evening continued with a banquet at La Vieille Shandong Restaurant, a favorite dining spot for Shandong people in France, where high-quality, authentic Shandong cuisine evoked deep nostalgia among the guests.

This Spring Festival gathering not only showcased the Chamber’s strength as a “home” but also served as a key platform for connecting cultural and economic exchanges between China and France. Attendees expressed that through this gathering, they not only felt the unity, cohesion, and unique cultural charm of Shandong people in France, but also deepened their recognition of the Chamber and their confidence in future collaboration.

Looking ahead to 2025, the France Chamber of Commerce (Shandong) will continue to unite its members and partners to contribute more to promoting economic and cultural exchanges between China and France. It will support member enterprises in thriving and co-create a brighter future together.

Before the gathering began, some participants recorded New Year’s blessing videos for their hometown, wishing the people of Shandong a joyful and prosperous Year of the Snake.