Editor's note: On the Chinese traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, a ballet performance presented by top artists from the Ballet Company of Opera de Paris brought the curtain down on the Year of France in China as well as the China-France Culture Year. This is what Chinese and French officials, business people and Chinese audience members had to say about this cultural feast:

Hu Jintao, Chinese President: French people have made a remarkable contribution to the development of human civilization, and French culture features strong tolerance and great creativity.

Both China and France embrace outstanding cultures with distinguished national characteristics, which compliment each other so well. Intensive exchanges between our two nations will further promote our cultural development, deepen communication between different civilizations, and represent a fitting tribute to the harmony and development of human society.

Jacques Chirac, French President: I am myself an admirer of China for its antique and glorious civilization. I love China. The success of the Year of China in France has proved the nation's great charm and attractiveness. Only through the dialogue of different civilizations, can human beings create a world of openness and mutual respect.

Wen Jiabao, Chinese Premier: I firmly believe that the Year of France in China will tell the world of China and France's mutual determination to strengthen dialogue between different civilizations and retain global cultural diversity.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former French Prime Minister: There is no doubt that the China-France Culture Year has far surpassed the meaning of cultural activity.

It is evidence of the strength of the Sino-French all-round strategic partnership, and our joint efforts to face any challenge before us.

Sun Jiazheng, Chinese Minister of Culture: Cultural exchanges are a bridge for our hearts and emotions. Jointly initiated by government leaders of both nations, the China-France Culture Year has turned out to be the largest set of activities that have ever connected us, and a grand event unprecedented in the history of Sino-French relations.

The China-France Culture Year enables people of the two countries to get close to and appreciate the charm of the other civilization.

Jean-Pierre Angremy, chairman for the French side of the joint organizing committee for the China-France Culture Year: Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, we have been working for the China-France Culture Year for four years, organizing a great cultural event that has stirred up all our imaginations. We are far from each other geographically, yet our hearts feel very close indeed.

We know that the conclusion of this year means the coming of a new year. We have made great efforts to ensure that we will remain in close contact.

Dr Gerard Deleens, General Representative of TOTAL China: As an honourable committee member of the Year of France in China, TOTAL sponsored renowned French musician Jean-Michel Jarre's spectacular musical event at the Forbidden City, the "Louis XIV, the Sun King" exhibition, the Sino-French Emergency Medicine Co-operation programme and the website of Technologies for Sustainable Development in China. Our total sponsorship is estimated to be about 6 million yuan (US$750,000).

The Year of France in China is playing a significant role in enhancing economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. I strongly believe that this type of event will help to develop understanding, trust and confidence between us and generate a long-term economic partnership.

Xiang Gongmin, head of the Bureau of Culture of Beijing Municipality: The China-France Culture Year is a grand festival in the history of Sino-French cultural exchange, and so it is with the whole world. In 2003, Beijing municipal government successfully held the Beijing Culture Week in Paris. The French Government decorated the famous Eiffel Tower with red lights, the most traditional and favoured in Chinese culture, to express French people's friendly attitude towards the Chinese, which enormously impressed us.

Ma Bomin, secretary-general of the Shanghai Organizing Committee of the Year of France in China: During the past year, residents in Shanghai have been lucky enough to experience the magic and glamourous French culture. Several programmes will continue in Shanghai after the French Culture Year concludes in Beijing. This means the exchanges between Shanghai and France will reach an even higher level.

Li Yanan, president of a Beijing-based public relations company: "French art always looks so perfect," I told French organizers of the Charles de Gaulle commemorative exhibition at the Millennium Art Museum last year. The photos, taken during different periods, impressed me much by revealing both a great man of our times and a humourous individual. Look at their faces and eyes, and you get the impression French people are so quiet and peaceful, and a little bit distant. I have an image in my mind of them stretching out their necks as far as possible and slowly puffing smoke rings, even in the field of battle.

A Nuo, a Beijing designer: I am a loyal enthusiast of Jean-Michel Jarre and his electro-laser music. I attended his concert at the Forbidden City. I think Jarre is a philosopher of music. And he always teaches us to enjoy our life and love the world.

(China Daily 09/20/2005 page2)