International cooperation between Ecole Polytechnique and China celebrated with the 123rd Bal de l’X in Paris on April 4th, 2014

Paris, France, 18-2-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — The 123rd Bal de l’X, under the high patronage of Mr François Hollande, President of the French Republic, will celebrate the international cooperation between Ecole Polytechnique and China. For this edition, Bal de l’X is among the official events celebrating the “50th anniversary of the establishment of a diplomatic relationship between the French Republic and The People’s Republic of China”.

2014: Excellence training aimed at China
China is one of the major axes in the Ecole Polytechnique international development. The largely internationalised Ecole Polytechnique has developed for more than 20 years successful academic and research partnerships in China with a dozen institutions: especially with Shangai Jiao Tong University, by launching SPEIT, a sino french Engineering School inaugurated in April 2013 by president François Hollande, President of the French Republic, the different universities of Fudan (its first partnership with China which was set up in 1996), Tongji (with the Sino French Institute of Engeeniring and Management inaugurated by president Jacques Chirac in 2004), Nanjing University, Tsinghua University, Beijing University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan (ICARE programme).

The main steps in developing a cooperation between Ecole Polytechnique and the People’s Republic of China were the visit to Ecole Polytechnique and some of its laboratories by three Education Vice-Ministers: Mr Zhang Xinsheng (2006), Mr Chen Xi (2009) and Mrs Wu Qidi (2010). In 2007 at Ecole Polytechnique Mr Wan Gang, Science and Technology Minister, gave a conference on innovation and the nature protection strategy in China. Minister Li Jiaxiang, Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) came in June 2013 to Ecole Polytechnique to share his leadership experience with its students.

Every year Ecole Polytechnique welcomes in its Engineering School between 20 and 30 Chinese students, mostly coming from Beijing, Shanghai et Nanjing. They represent 25% of all international students. It is the most important international community at Ecole Polytechnique. In 2012-2013, 46 Chinese students were pursuing a Master programme while 35 were pursuing a PhD programme at the Ecole Polytechnique Research Centre.

Bal de l’X, an emblematic link between all the Ecole Polytechnique students and alumni 
Ecole polytechnique and its alumni association (AX) have the pleasure to put forward the ties they have developed with China and their contribution to promoting Franco-Chinese cooperation.

A symbol of French excellence and tradition, Bal de l’X is bringing together every year more than 2,500 French and foreign participants: high level politicians, science, industry and administration leaders, representatives and alumni of the world most renowned universities.

Since 1877, the Bal de l’X is organised to the benefit of its its charity fund by AX Alumni – Association des Anciens Elèves et Diplômés de l’Ecole Polytechnique, President Mr Laurent Billès-Garabédian (X 83) – with the help of students belonging to the 2011 and 2012 classes.

For its 123rd edition, this prestigious evening will begin at 7:30 pm with the Opera « L’Italiana in Algeri », music by Gioacchino Rossini, conductor Riccardo Frizza. During the interlude and several times during the evening, the Lancers’ Quadrille will be danced at the foot of the grand stairs by 16 couples of Ecole Polytechnique students, in traditional uniform (Grand U) and long evening dresses.

The gala dinner is organised inside the somptuous Palais Garnier Opera House for more than 1,000 guests and will be followed by the Ball.

AX- Ecole polytechnique Alumni – 5 rue Descartes – 75005 Paris
www.ax.polytechnique.edu

President Bal de l’X: Alain Bories (X76)
123rd Bal de l’X official website: www.baldelx.com
Event organised as part of France-China 50 : www.france-chine50.com

Press contacts:
Geneviève Guillemet: + 33 1 56 81 16 93
genevieve.guillemet@ax.polytechnique.org
Nathalie Litwin: + 33 1 56 81 16 91
nathalie.litwin@ax.polytechnique.org