French president Emmanuel Macron said he hoped his widely reported visit to Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, would rekindle young people's interest in the two countries.

He made the remark in a signed letter to the university's president, Gao Song, which was forwarded by the French consulate in Guangzhou on Tuesday.

Macron visited the university on April 7, making a speech and answering questions from students as part of his state visit to China. He said he was touched by the warm welcome.

It is important to consolidate the connection between the university and French institutions of higher learning and research, to develop more structured cooperation and to expand exchanges of students, professors and scientists.

Macron's visit to China reflected what he sees as the principal priority in bilateral relations. People-to-people exchanges, especially students, are at the center, he said.