On April 7th 2013, Ms. Catherine Bastien-Venture from Europe of Research and International cooperation, National Center for French Scientific Research(CNRS-DERCI), Project manager for the Sino-FrEnch program for Environment and Sustainable Development(SEED) visited Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences(YICCAS).

French National Center for Scientific Research(CNRS), founded in 1939 by governmental decree, is a public organization under the responsibility of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.As the largest fundamental research organization in Europe, CNRS carried out research in all fields of knowledge. CNRS laboratories (or research units) are located throughout France, and employ a large body of tenured researchers, engineers, and support staff. Laboratories are all on renewable four-year contracts, with bi-annual evaluation by the National Center for Scientific Research. CNRS's annual budget represents a quarter of French public spending on civilian research.

Prof. Yongming LUO, the acting director of YICCAS accompanied Ms. Catherine Bastien-Venture during the visit and meeting. Ms. Catherine Bastien-Venture visited the laboratories and Testing and Analysis Center, and expressed appreciation for the achievements made by YICCAS.

Ms. Catherine Bastien-Venture briefly introduced the history/ research fields and research groups of CNRS. The two sides discussed and agreed to attach importance to strengthening the exchanges and cooperation with each other to regularly exchange views on issues of common interest and improve mutual understanding.