Olympic-Themed Sculpture Unveiled at Paris’ Olympic Peace Park

A sculpture donated by China Media Group (CMG) was unveiled at the Olympic Peace Park in Paris’ Château de Catala, marking the opening of the park in the eastern suburbs of Paris.

The statue, titled “Tong Zhou Gong Du” or “Crossing a river in the same boat,” symbolizes China-France friendship and the spirit of the Olympic Games, conveying a message of peace.

Created by Chinese artist Huang Jian, art ambassador of the International Olympic Committee, the sculpture was donated by the CMG to the French Olympic Committee.

Shen Haixiong, Vice Minister of the Promotion Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the CMG, sent a congratulatory letter to the participants of the event.

Shen pointed out that the statue marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and is a successful message sent to the Paris Olympics.

“We expect all walks of life in China and France to continue to see the Olympic Games as a connection, to jointly promote exchanges and dialogues between different civilizations, to promote mutual understanding and respect between people, to write an even greater chapter glorious together. the Olympic Movement, and contribute new and greater strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” said Shen.

Lu Shaye, Ambassador of China to France, Stéphane Hatot, Cultural Advisor of the French National Olympic Committee, and Brigitte Marsigny, Mayor of Noisy-le-Grand, attended the event.

Ambassador Lu Shaye said that the statue conveys the concepts of unity, peace and friendship through a combination of sports and culture, expressing that China and France pursue the Olympic spirit and expectations for world peace.

“We expect this statue to become a new milestone for Noisy-le-Grand, showing the vitality of friendly relations between China and France,” he said.

Cultural adviser Stéphane Hatot said the statue fully demonstrates the three core values of the Olympic Games: excellence, respect and friendship.

“As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China, such a work of art highlights this great friendship,” he said.

Mayor Brigitte Marsigny said that art has the power to cross national borders to touch people’s hearts.

The Olympic-themed sculpture “Tong Zhou Gong Du” features a boat with symbols from Chinese and French cultures: the Chinese dragon and the Gallic rooster. The boat is a symbol of China-France friendship and the Olympic spirit, both sides consider the Paris Olympic Games 2024 as an opportunity to jointly promote exchanges and dialogues between different civilizations, conveying the voice of peace of the Paris Olympic Games.

The sculpture was previously presented in the exhibition “From Beijing to Paris – the Olympic journey of Chinese and French artists”, organized this May.