Museum set up by French naturalist stands test of time

Licent had no descendant to join the 110th-anniversary celebration. One of the descendants of a research partner of Licent in China, the granddaughter of the nephew of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), who's also vice-chairwoman of the Friends of Teilhard de Chardin, joined the event.

Yu Shuxiang, a researcher who traveled to France and wrote his biography, viewed Licent as a bridge connecting ancient and modern exchanges of science and culture between the East and the West. "He was a promoter of scientific and cultural exchanges between China and France. In this regard, the role he played is unparalleled," Yu says.

In 2019, the Tianjin Natural History Museum was designated a key national cultural heritage protection unit by the State Council, underscoring its significance in fostering cultural exchanges between China and France.

Licent's profound impact, transcending generations, continues to kindle narratives of scientific and cultural exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations, perpetuating his legacy as a trailblazer in international collaboration, Zhang concludes.