A new documentary series is shining a spotlight on an unexpected chapter of China-France friendship ✨. 'The Story of the Foochow Arsenal', airing this week on China Media Group, uncovers how a 19th-century shipyard became a cultural bridge between nations.
When Paris Met Fuzhou 🏗️
Back in 1866, French engineers teamed up with the Qing dynasty to create China’s first French-style technical school in Fujian Province 🏛️. The Foochow Arsenal wasn’t just about building ships – it trained China’s first modern naval experts and even sent students to study in France! 🌍
Hidden Histories Revealed 🔍
The six-episode series features artifacts from global museums and interviews with 100+ historians 📜. Ever heard of China’s earliest study-abroad program? This is where it began 💡.
Pro tip for history buffs 📚: Watch for rare footage of how French designs influenced everything from architecture to education during China’s modernization era 🚢➡️🌉.
