The annual "Touching China" award ceremony honored 10 individuals and groups as the country's inspiring role models of 2023 was broadcast Monday evening by the China Media Group.
The annual "Touching China" program, which was initiated in 2003, honors those who have touched the nation with their tenacity, bravery and wisdom over the previous year.
The 10 award winners for the year of 2023 are:
Scientist Yu Hongru, who has been working on wind tunnel technology for 50 years; Liu Lingli, a teacher dedicated to special education for decades; community worker Meng Ermei, who saved and relocated stranded passengers in a massive rainstorm in Beijing's Mentougou District; swimming champion Zhang Yufei; rice farming expert Yang Huade, who has devoted himself to assisting agricultural production in Africa; Veteran artist Niu Ben, who has devoted his whole life to the performing arts; Elyn MacInnis from the United States, also known by her Chinese name Mu Yanling, an enthusiastic advocate of U.S.-China friendship; great craftsman Zhang Liangang; visually impaired singer Michelle Siu; and the Second Flying Squadron of the Air Force -- the first of its kind established by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force, the first to participate in combat, and the first to achieve military awards in the Chinese Air Force.
The ceremony brought an immersive audio-visual experience to the audience, as skilled musicians showcased their talents on the violin, flute, and horn, and their performances were mingled perfectly with the inspirational introduction to the role models.
"Touching China" 2023 award ceremony honors inspirational role models in China
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
