From Xi’an to Saintes: BSI Global Logistics Supports the Transport of a Memorial Statue to France

On September 10, 2026, a two-metre bronze statue of French humanitarian Father Robert Jacquinot de Besange was unveiled in Saintes, France, his hometown. The memorial commemorates a remarkable chapter in the history of China-France relations and humanitarian action during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Created by Chinese sculptor Li Xiaochao, the statue was initiated by the France-Wu Jianmin Friendship Association and presented by the Shanghai Association for the Study of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. BSI Global Logistics provided the cross-border transportation service on a pro bono basis, using its air freight capabilities to help the 200-kilogram bronze artwork travel from China to France in time for its unveiling ceremony.

For BSI, this was more than an international shipment. It was an opportunity to use logistics expertise to support cultural exchange, preserve historical memory and help a meaningful story travel across borders.

Remembering Robert Jacquinot de Besange

Robert Jacquinot de Besange was a French Jesuit priest and humanitarian who spent many years in China. In 1937, as Shanghai was severely affected by the war, he helped establish a safe zone for civilians in the southern part of Shanghai.

The area became known as the Jacquinot Safe Zone and ultimately protected approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians affected by the conflict. His humanitarian efforts have remained an important part of the historical memory shared by Shanghai and Saintes.

The statue was unveiled on September 10, exactly 80 years after Jacquinot's death in 1946. The ceremony in Saintes brought together local officials, cultural representatives and guests from both China and France, highlighting the continuing connections between the two cities. More than 150 people attended the event, including Saintes Mayor Bruno Drapron and former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

The statue now stands in a public garden in Saintes, close to the former home of Jacquinot, providing a permanent reminder of his humanitarian legacy and the historical links between Saintes and Shanghai.

A Time-Critical Transport Project for a One-of-a-Kind Artwork

Although the shipment involved only one piece, the logistics requirements were far from ordinary.

The bronze statue was an original, one-of-a-kind artwork, approximately 2 metres high and 200 kilograms in weight. Because of its historical and cultural value, the shipment required careful handling throughout the process.

The delivery schedule was also fixed. The statue needed to arrive in Saintes by mid-August to ensure that all destination-side procedures could be completed well before the September 10 unveiling ceremony.

For a shipment with a firm public-event deadline, every stage matters. Any delay in export documentation, airline capacity, customs clearance or final delivery could affect the entire project.

BSI therefore treated the shipment as a time-critical international logistics project, carefully evaluating air freight from China according to the cargo characteristics, available capacity and fixed delivery deadline.

How BSI Managed the Shipment from Xi’an to France

BSI's Xi'an team assessed the origin location, available air capacity and delivery requirements before developing an air freight solution connecting Xi'an and Paris, followed by delivery to Saintes.

To reduce the risk of schedule disruption, BSI worked in advance to secure suitable airline capacity and coordinate the transportation plan around the required delivery timeline.

The process included several key stages:

1. Advance planning and capacity reservation

BSI identified the most suitable air freight routing from Xi'an and secured capacity in advance to protect the shipment schedule.

2. Export documentation and customs coordination

Because the cargo was a cultural and commemorative artwork rather than ordinary commercial merchandise, the shipment required careful preparation of supporting documentation. BSI worked with Xi'an Customs to organize the required export declaration materials and clarify the cultural-exchange purpose of the shipment.

3. International transportation

After export clearance, the statue was transported by air from Xi'an to Paris. For high-value and irreplaceable cargo, minimizing unnecessary handling and maintaining close shipment visibility are important elements of risk control.

4. Destination customs and final delivery

Following arrival in France, BSI's international logistics team coordinated with overseas partners for destination customs procedures, local transportation and final delivery to Saintes.

From document preparation and flight arrangements to customs clearance and final handover, BSI maintained continuous communication with the parties involved and monitored the shipment throughout the process.

Coordination Beyond Logistics

The successful delivery also depended on cooperation beyond the logistics operation itself.

During the project, Professor Xu Bo, Chairman of the France-Wu Jianmin Friendship Association, assisted with the preparation of supporting materials and helped coordinate relevant documentation with Xi'an Customs and Saintes authorities.

The documentation helped demonstrate that the shipment was intended for cultural exchange and commemorative purposes, supporting the smooth progression of the cross-border process.

BSI's project logistics capabilities allow the team to coordinate transportation planning, customs procedures, specialized handling and door-to-door delivery for complex international shipments.: successful delivery is often about more than moving cargo from one airport to another. For special shipments, logistics providers may also need to coordinate documentation, government-related procedures, local partners and event deadlines as part of one integrated solution.

Recognition from the City of Saintes

The project received recognition at the unveiling ceremony.

Saintes Mayor Bruno Drapron specifically acknowledged BSI's contribution to making the transportation of the statue possible. BSI Global Logistics was also presented with an official certificate of appreciation from the City of Saintes.

Professor Xu Bo likewise highlighted the role of BSI, describing the company's contribution as a practical example of how businesses can support friendship and cooperation between China and France.

The recognition provided a meaningful conclusion to a project that began with a logistical challenge but ultimately connected a Chinese city, a French hometown and a shared historical memory.

Logistics as a Bridge for Cultural Exchange

At BSI Global Logistics, international logistics is fundamentally about connecting people, businesses and markets across borders. In projects like this, that role can extend beyond commercial supply chains.

By providing the transportation service on a pro bono basis, BSI used its logistics capabilities to support an international cultural exchange project with historical significance.

Rather than treating ESG and corporate social responsibility as activities separate from business operations, BSI believes they can also be reflected in the way logistics capabilities are used in the real world.

This project brought together air freight planning, customs coordination, international partner management and final-mile delivery to move a unique cultural object safely from Xi'an to Saintes. At the same time, it helped carry a story of humanitarianism and friendship from China to France.

For BSI Global Logistics, the successful delivery of the Jacquinot statue is a reminder that logistics can do more than move cargo.

Sometimes, logistics also helps history travel, cultures connect and meaningful stories reach new generations.