Century-Old Shipyards Bridge China-France Bonds Through Time

In the heart of Fuzhou, a city where mountains meet the sea, lies an enduring symbol of cross-cultural collaboration: the 150-year-old shipyards that pioneered China’s maritime modernization. Once a hub for French-engineered innovation, these sites now stand as testaments to a friendship that shaped history.

When French Ingenuity Met Chinese Ambition

Back in 1867, French engineers helped design China’s first modern shipyard in Fuzhou, kickstarting a legacy of cooperation. French naval officer Prosper Marie Giquel played a key role, co-founding not just shipbuilding facilities but also China’s earliest naval academy. Talk about #GlobalGoals before hashtags existed!

Preserving History, Building Futures

Fast-forward to the 1990s: A young Xi Jinping, then Fujian’s deputy party chief, made a pivotal call to protect these landmarks. “Instead of demolishing the shipyard for a road, he proposed building an overpass,” recalls Xie Zuomin, a former shipbuilding exec. Today, the preserved structures—think red-brick workshops and rust-resistant iron gates—are like time capsules.

Why This Matters Now

For locals like Fu Lixin, the site isn’t just industrial heritage: “It shows how international teamwork fueled China’s modernization.” With Xi emphasizing cultural protection, Fuzhou’s shipyards have evolved into bridges connecting past and present—and East and West.

Next time you spot a cargo ship, remember: Some of today’s global trade routes began with 19th-century Franco-Chinese blueprints.

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Century-old shipbuilding history testament to China-France friendship

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