Camus recognised for Franco-Chinese relations

Among the celebrations commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and France, Yishu 8 and the China Philanthropy Research Institute – in partnership with the French Institute – have chosen to distinguish 50 personalities whose contribution towards Franco-Chinese relations has been the most noteworthy.

Chaired by Jean Pierre Raffarin (former French Prime Minister and Vice President of the Senate) and Wu Jianmin (former Chinese Ambassador to France), the Selection Committee wanted to bring to light the contributions of 50 personalities (25 French and 25 Chinese), which they considered to be outstanding, both for their mutual understanding and promotion of exchanges between China and France, particularly in the fields of art and culture.

A joint list of personalities including intellectuals, scientists, artists and businessmen was recently revealed, and a tribute paid to the lucky nominees earlier this month within the Senate halls.

Cyril Camus, CEO of the Camus Cognac House, was listed alongside such names as the architect Paul Andreu, designer Pierre Cardin, Michel Plasson, conductor, as well as the actress and director Sophie Marceau.

For more than 20 years, Cyril Camus (43) has chosen to make China his second home. He explains quite simply the huge leap between the Borderies terroir, where he grew up, and vast cities like Shanghai or Beijing, as the mission he has assigned himself to impart the French way of life and advocate the values of a family business now in its fifth generation.

Thanks to these same values, the House of Camus has set up privileged partnerships with China, of which the finest example is duty free distribution of the most famous Chinese liquor: Moutai. Similarly, last March Camus was asked to create the official gift given by France to the Chinese President, during his state visit.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin recently quoted André Malraux, a famous French author who was also strongly influenced by Asia, in praise of these 50 personalities: “Ce qui compte dans la vie, c'est de laisser sa trace sur la terre (the most important thing in life is to leave your mark on earth). We sought out the names of those who have left a mark – a permanent one – on Franco-Chinese relations.”

The House of Camus hopes to remains one of the best ambassadors of Cognac via Cyril Camus and engrave ever more deeply a mark based on respect, friendship and mutual dialogue between cultures.

9 December 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor