China's practitioners grace Paris Design Week

Chinese designers are demonstrating the philosophical essence and practical power of Chinese design at the ongoing Paris Design Week 2025.

The China Creative Pavilion (CCP), which has been an annual fixture at the Paris Design Week Factory's main exhibition since 2023, opened on Friday. Located in the Marais district, one of Paris' most important art neighborhoods, the pavilion was originally launched by Shanghai's Tongji University and the organizers as a platform to showcase original Chinese design.

This year, more than 40 Chinese institutions from various fields, including furniture, art, jewelry, craftsmanship and women's creation, have created a design narrative spanning East and West under the theme of "Wei (Oui)" in six sections.

Running until Wednesday, the exhibition showcases brands, designers and artists who are presenting a comprehensive look at the innovative landscape of Chinese design, including several who are making their international debuts.

"Wei" is a typical philosophical term in traditional Chinese culture. It not only represents the concept of proactivity in Chinese but also echoes the openness and confidence of the French word "Oui". The exhibition deconstructs the theme into six dimensions through tangible design works, aiming to show the world that Chinese design is not just a style but a continuous, proactive civilizational force, according to organizers.

Raphael Kao, chief planner of the CCP project, said the exhibition is not just a display platform but a formalized mechanism for Chinese aesthetics and innovation to "go global".

It promotes deeper connections between Chinese designers and international brands and opens new avenues for cooperation between international designers and Chinese companies, Kao added.

Through this platform, the strength of Chinese innovation will be seen by the world, promoting further exchange and cooperation in Sino-French design.