China and France First Ladies Deepen Cultural Ties at Beijing People's Art Theatre

First Ladies Foster Cultural Dialogue in Beijing

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, engaged in a significant cultural exchange on Thursday, December 4, 2025, with a visit to the Beijing People's Art Theatre (BPAT). The event, which took place during President Macron's three-day state visit to China, underscored the commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral ties through artistic and people-to-people interactions.

A Glimpse into Theatrical Heritage and Exchange

During their visit, the First Ladies were given an in-depth tour of the Theatre Museum, where they gained a detailed understanding of the BPAT's development and its long-standing exchanges with the French theater community. Their itinerary included viewing the stage set of the classic Chinese play 'Teahouse' and watching a segment of a performance. Both Peng Liyuan and Brigitte Macron also engaged in warm conversations with the performers, acknowledging their contributions to the arts.

Peng Liyuan emphasized the importance of artistic collaboration, stating her hope that 'artists from both countries will strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and create more outstanding artistic works.' She highlighted how generations of Chinese dramatists have successfully blended traditional Chinese culture with beneficial practices from foreign theaters to foster innovation.

Commitment to Enhanced Mutual Understanding

In response, Brigitte Macron expressed her high regard for Chinese dramatic arts and conveyed her willingness to 'actively promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, in order to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.' The visit served as a reaffirmation of the ongoing efforts to build bridges between China and France through cultural diplomacy.

The exchange builds upon a history of cultural cooperation, including the 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, which has seen advancements in educational, sports, and film and television collaborations. Notable past exchanges include the Chinese play 'Teahouse' being performed at the Festival d'Avignon in 2019 and the BPAT's recent Chinese adaptation of Moliere's 'The Miser' in April 2024, as well as the French drama 'Les Paravents' being featured in the 2025 BPAT International Theatre Invitation Exhibition.