At 9:00 a.m. on November 30, 2022, the Chinese Consulate General in Montreal, Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office, Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the Shanghai Library jointly held a ceremony in the Conference Room on the 7th floor of the Shanghai Library East, for the donation of the People's Daily collected by Jean-François Lépine, a Canadian friend, to the Shanghai Library. Chinese representatives attending the ceremony were Zhang Heng, acting Chinese Consul General in Montreal, Bei Zhaojian, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Municipal Government, Jin Lei, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Chen Chao, Director of the Shanghai Library, and Canadian representatives were Michel Constantin, Director of Quebec Office in Shanghai, and Mr. Jean-François Lépine, the donor.
Acting Consul General Zhang Heng and Mr. Jean-François Lépine communicated online with all the guests in the Conference Room through Tencent Conference. Acting Consul General Zhang Heng, Deputy Director Bei Zhaojian, Director Michel Constantin and Deputy Director Jin Lei delivered speeches, and they all said that the event could not be conducted smoothly without the strong support and cooperation of all parties. Director Chen Chao said that the Shanghai Library has been actively involved in cultural exchanges between Shanghai and Montreal. Not only was the "Window of Shanghai" set up in Montreal, but also the "Charm of Shanghai" cultural exhibition was once held in Montreal. The materials donated by Mr. Jean-François Lépine are highly treasured by the Shanghai Library, which is conducive to providing better services to the readers.

Mr. Jean-François Lépine came to the Chinese Consulate General in Montreal and was excited on seeing the donation ceremony prepared for him. He recalled his work in China, in Shanghai, and his Chinese friends who worked together with him. He talked about how, when he was a reporter in China, he bought six stacks of People's Daily published in 1949, 1966, and 1977. He hopes to share with the others in such a special way the development and achievements of China and Shanghai he witnessed. These newspapers are of great commemorative significance. They represent not only Mr. Jean-François Lépine's time in Shanghai, but also his witness of the profound friendship between Shanghai and Montreal.

Though the road is long, we will arrive at our destination eventually, and as long as we keep going, the future is promising. We believe that with the efforts and support of both China and Canada, we will be able to jointly create a better future for the communication between Shanghai and Montreal.