On the morning of November 17, 2023, Director Chen Chao of Shanghai Library met with a 15-person delegation led by French Consul General in Shanghai, Mr. Joan Valadou, in Xujiahui branch library. The two sides held discussions and exchanges in the exhibition hall on the first floor of the library.

After watching the introduction video of Dictionnaire RICCI Chinois-Français, Mr. David Maurizot, President of la Société d’Histoire des Français de Chine (SHFC), presented the dictionary to Consul General Joan Valadou. Director Chen Chao warmly welcomed Consul General’s first visit to Xujiahui Library and the arrival of all the guests. Director Chen said that Xujiahui Library, as the collection place of ancient Western books in Shanghai Library, undertakes the important task of mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations. Shanghai Library is willing to launch a series of Sino-French cultural exchange activities around this play on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France with the French Consulate General in Shanghai. Consul General said that both China and France are big cultural countries with a long history, and the Xujiahui Library is of great significance to the French people in Shanghai. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and he hopes that both sides will work together to make more contributions to Sino-French friendship.

After the discussion, Director Chen accompanied Consul General and his entourage to visit the library, and Mr. Xu Jinhua, Head of the Xujiahui Library, gave a guided tour and overall introduction. Before parting, on behalf of Shanghai Library, Director Chen presented the hardcover catalogue of Xujiahui Library to Consul General Joan Valadou, and invited Consul General to visit the Shanghai Library East.