Juliette in love, with China

After a full afternoon of sharing insights with scholars at Peking University and an intensive series of interviews, French actress Juliette Binoche had reason to look tired. Her schedule had been relentless — working until midnight before catching a 5 am flight out of Beijing.

Yet, Binoche — one of the most internationally known French stars, who has claimed a grand slam of the world's most prestigious acting honors, from an Oscar to the best actress awards at all three top European international film festivals in Cannes, Venice and Berlin — remained as poised and focused as if her day had just begun.

Leaning back against a sofa cushion, her eyes still bright, she gently patted the seat beside her with a friendly gesture. "Do you want to sit here?" she offered warmly. This began the China Daily interview, in which she spoke about her fascination with the country and how she has benefited from the centuries-old legacies of acupuncture and qigong (inner breathing).

"I definitely love China. I've been here in different circumstances, discovering the country," she says.