The former President of France, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, delivered a speech titled “Europe and Its Future” at Tsinghua on April 5.

Tsinghua President Gu Binglin met with Mr. Giscard d’Estaing and the two had a friendly talk before the speech. President Gu welcomed Mr. Giscard d’Estaing to Tsinghua, and said that sound relations have been established between Tsinghua and the universities in France in recent years. President Gu also discussed Tsinghua’s history, current development, and the high level of the students.

In his speech, Mr. Giscard d’Estaing focused on the development of European Integration and the current status of Europe’s population and economy.

He gave a detailed explanation of the New European Constitution and looked toward the future of Europe, saying that changes would be made within the society, the distance between the rich and the poor would be lessened, and the European Union would become a cooperative partner of China.

After the speech, Mr. Giscard d’Estaing answered several questions from the students.

Also attending the meeting were H.E. Mr. Philippe Guelluy, the French Ambassador to China and Tsinghua Vice President Gong Ke.

Reported by Li Han