The opening ceremony for the "Life and Hope" Sino-French Contemporary Art Exhibition initiated by Sanofi was held on Nov 10, 2014.

During the ninth Croisements Festival period, Sanofi supported celebrations in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu and invited many disadvantaged people to join the celebrations. Sanofi has supported the festival since 2011.

"During the festival period in 2013, I watched a famous French pantomime together with a group of deaf-mute students. I was very touched by their joy and excitement," said Lowinski. "I am extremely proud that we are continuing to support this festival again."

Sylvie-Agnès Bermann, former ambassador of France to China, said organizers "appreciate the involvement of our long-time partner, Sanofi, who makes this year's Croisements Festival possible".

"As a French healthcare company, Sanofi is devoted to social responsibility programs, comforting people in both physical and psychological needs. Their social mission to empower life corresponds with the course of the Croisements Festival."

Sanofi, as a key sponsor, participated in various healthcare-related events in 2014 including the China-France Healthcare Forum last August that focused on strengthening institutional, medical, scientific and economic partnerships in the healthcare sector in the two countries.

The forum was attended by vice-chairman of standing committee of the National People's Congress and former Minister of Health Chen Zhu and Vice-Minister of Health, France Jean Debeaupuis.

A pioneer in chronic disease prevention and management, Sanofi participated in one of four roundtable discussions and shared its commitment to patient centricity and integrated care.

As one of the first multinational pharmaceutical companies to operate in China starting in the early 1980s, Sanofi has provided healthcare solutions for patients that expanded in pace with the country's development.

Sanofi launched its first integrated Asia-Pacific Research and Development Hub in Shanghai on Sept 25 last year, a move designed to accelerate the region's innovation capabilities and strengthen the local scientific network.