Classic French literature sets the scene

Forum examines genre's influence and deep ties with China, Fang Aiqing reports.

French literature's profound influence on Chinese writers, translators and scholars was fully recognized at a forum featuring the literary ties between the two countries.

The forum, held in Beijing on July 2, celebrated the release of a hardcover series of classic French literature works by the Writers Publishing House.

The first batch of 20 titles contain Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Romain Rolland's Jean-Christophe, Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus, Andre Gide's Strait Is the Gate, and Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince.