Laurent Fabius, France's Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended a press conference in Beijing on Feb 21 held by Tianjin's Nankai University Press at the National Museum of China to mark the launch of the Chinese edition of his book, Le Cabinet des douze: Regards sur des tableaux qui font la France.

Fabius - appointed a honorary professor at Nankai University in 2009 - said he hopes the publishing of the Chinese edition will help increase understanding and friendship between China and France, especially at such a milestone of Sino-French relations – as 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Gong Ke, president of Nankai University, chaired the press conference, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Culture Cai Wu sent letters of congratulations. Fan Zen, a professor at Nankai who is well-known for his calligraphy and paintings, attended the press conference and spoke with Fabius about Chinese and French culture.

Xue Jinwen, the Party committee secretary of Nankai University, said at the event that he considers the publishing of the book a tribute to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as a bridge between the two cultures.

Laurent Fabius was born in a family of artists and quickly developed an interest in art. The original French edition of Le Cabinet des douze was published in 2010, and it focuses on 75 of the world's most famous paintings.

In his preface to the Chinese edition, Fabius writes that he wants to share his passion of fine art: "Art is an outstanding method to promote dialogue and mutual understanding between different cultures and civilizations," adding that people who are separated by geographical distance "will be able to communicate with art".

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman