Sylvie Bermann, the French Ambassador to China, bestows the Golden Palms Medal to Prof. Li

Mr. Li Zhiqing, a French professor with the College of Foreign Languages at Ocean University of China (OUC), was conferred the Palme D’Or by Madame Sylvie Bermann, the French Ambassador to China, at the Alliance Francaise facility (Qingdao) at Fushan Campus on May 24, 2014.

OUC Vice-President Li Huajun also met with the French ambassador.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to Prof. Li for his excellent contributions to Sino-French cultural exchanges and the development of education. The Golden Palm is the highest honor the French government can award to our foreign friends,” Madame Sylvie Bermann said at the awards ceremony.

The purple palm-shaped Palme D’Or medal is the highest honor bestowed by the French government in the fields of culture and education. Prof. Li is the second Chinese ever to have won the Medal.

Born in 1944, Prof. Li has a great passion for French. He established the Department of French at Shandong University, as well as at Ocean University of China, and is the editor-in-chief of many works.

In promoting Sino-French cultural exchanges, he helped in 2007 to establish the Shandong Alliance Francaise, which has played a positive role since then. At the 130th anniversary of the Alliance Francaise, he was met by the French President Hollande. In addition, he facilitated the establishment of sister cities, including Qingdao & Nante and Qingdao & Brest, and was named an “Honorary Citizen” of Brest.

Prof. Li has enjoyed great fame in French academic and educational circles and was recruited as a visiting professor at six French universities. He serves as a doctoral supervisor at four. His excellent contributions have brought him a number of honors by the French government.

Vice-president Li Huajun (Left 2) talks with Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to China

A group photo of Prof. Li Zhiqing and students