Bertrand Lortholary,mk French Ambassador to China, made his first official visit to the city of Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, from June 27 to 28. The ambassador's visit consisted of important meetings focused on culture, economy and education.

Bertrand Lortholary in Kunming, Yunnan Province Photo: Courtesy of the French Embassy in China

On the morning of June 27, Lortholary visited the customer center and the water treatment plant of Veolia China, a firm dedicated to energy, water, and waste management.

He later visited Alliance Française de Kunming in Yunnan University, one of the earliest comprehensive universities in the western border areas of China.

He Shutang, director of the Yunnan Railway Museum, hosted Lortholary during his tour. 

On June 28, Yunnan CPC Provincial Committee Secretary Wang Ning met Lortholary. The meeting highlighted the many facets of bilateral collaboration, highlighting the opportunities ahead.

At the Contemporary Gallery Kunming, Lortholary participated in the inauguration of the exhibition - Retour of Claude Viallat. The large-scale solo exhibition showcases paintings by the French artist.

Featuring 80 works spanning 40 years of the artist's career, the exhibition explored his career and his significant influence on art history. The retrospective will be held until September 30.