For the first time in China, the French Institute of China has organized a national Night of Ideas with the theme of 2021 ("Nearby") around the evolutions of the relationship with oneself and with others in the contemporary world.

For this first Chinese edition of the Night of Ideas, some twenty researchers, philosophers, sociologists, business leaders, psychoanalysts, historians, architects, anthropologists, as well as dancers, a filmmaker, French and Chinese high school and university students were mobilized to conduct face-to-face and remote dialogues on the economic, technological, human, and societal challenges of "living together.

In Beijing, four sequences followed one another, from 5pm to 1am, at the French Institute.
- Teenage philosophers". This sequence was based on the publication in Chinese translation by Editions Duku of a collection of 10 introductory philosophy titles initially published in France by Editions Rue de l'Echiquier, entitled "Philo Ado". It includes the participation of young people from the association Philosophia, the largest Chinese platform for online philosophical exchanges for 15-20 year-olds.
- The theme of the event was "How can the Social Sciences tell us what is close to us today? ». This second sequence was organized in partnership with the Franco-Chinese Centre of Tsinghua University, the Beijing branch of the IFRE Centre for French Studies on Contemporary China. Three sociologists were invited to this round table: Laurent Thévenot, Marc Bréviglieri and Wang Kun.
- The relationship to oneself and to others in today's world: what can psychoanalysis do? ». Four psychoanalysts took part in this round table devoted to psychoanalysis, the practice of which has developed considerably in China in recent years: Elisabeth Roudinesco, Dr. Monique Lauret, Ms. Luo Zhengjie and Mr. Yang Chunqiang.
- Screening of the film Un Triompheby Emmanuel Courcol and dance performances

In Chengdu, young learners of French from the Alliances françaises were invited to gather to participate online in the Beijing "Teen Philosophers" sequence. This was followed by a round-table discussion on the theme "Towards a globalization of proximity? This was followed by a round-table discussion on the theme "Towards a globalization of proximity ", which brought together six online and in-person speakers: Christian Chavagneux, Léa Dijoux, Luc Néouze, Jean-Michel Tomas, Lei Zhang and Nicolas Laurent.

In Guangzhou, the Night of Ideas took place at the Guangdong Times Museum with a first debate on the theme "Technology and Ecology: Sustainable Solutions? " This was followed by a presentation by the CNES space affairs advisor to the post, who explained to the general public the contribution of space technologies to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. The evening ended with a screening of the film Un Triomphe by Emmanuel Courcol.

In Wuhan, an all-digital format was chosen for an online conference by French anthropologist and writer Eric Chauvier on the theme "What can humour do in today's world? Humour and social sciences: an impossible marriage? »

In Shanghai, the Night of Ideas was held on 21 May 2021 (postponed due to the pandemic) at the Power Station of Art, China's major contemporary art museum and home of the Shanghai Biennale, on the theme "Family: So Far, So Close" . Three round tables moderated by the philosopher XIE Jing brought together leading French and Chinese thinkers:
- "What is the family bond? "with François de Singly (sociologist specialising in the family, France), Xiang Biao (professor of anthropology), Liu Qing (specialist in political philosophy, Shanghai), Xiao Bai (writer, Shanghai), Zhang Nian (feminist philosopher, Shanghai).
- What does it mean to be a couple?
"with Dominique Sigaud (writer, journalist and essayist, France), Zhang Nian, Xiao Bai, Xiao Ke (dancer and choreographer, Shanghai
)
- Sortir de la famille? withGeneviève Fraisse (philosopher of feminist thought, France), François de Singly, Liu Qing, Xiao Bai