The Orchid Awards was initiated by CICG in 2022, aiming to facilitate cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and the rest of the world.

Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), announces the shortlists for the inaugural Orchid Awards at a press conference in Beijing on July 12, 2023. [Photo/CICG] 

Lu Cairong, vice president of CICG, attended the event and announced the 30 candidates for the awards. He said one winner will be selected for the Lifetime Honorary Award, three for the Outstanding Achievement Award, and six for the Friendship Envoy Award.

Lu said the Orchid Awards is different from the Chinese Government Friendship Award and the Special Book Award of China as it honors individuals and organizations from the entire cultural arena including literature, art, film and television, publishing, translation, education, science and technology, health, media, folk culture, digital culture, and people-to-people exchange. He said he hopes the awards can bring unique honor to individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world.

Fan Di'an, vice chairman of the Orchid Awards Expert Committee and chairman of the China Artists Association, speaks at a press conference in Beijing on July 12, 2023. [Photo/CICG] 

Fan Di'an, vice chairman of the Orchid Awards Expert Committee and chairman of the China Artists Association, unveiled the logo of the awards and explained its cultural significance. He said the orchid is an embodiment of elegance in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. For these awards, the orchid also represents mutual learning among different civilizations, Fan said.

Chen Shi, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the Orchid Awards, speaks at a press conference in Beijing on July 12, 2023. [Photo/CICG] 

Chen Shi, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the Orchid Awards, said the awards have drawn wide attention from around the globe, receiving 314 individual applications as well as applications from 33 organizations.

China International Communications Group (CICG) holds a press conference on the inaugural Orchid Awards in Beijing on July 12, 2023. [Photo/CICG] 

Shortlists for the inaugural Orchid Awards:

(Alphabetically ordered by surname)

Candidates for the Lifetime Honorary Award:

Rashid Alimov, Tajikistan

Chao-Yeh Chia-Ying Florence, Canada

Joseph W. Polisi, U.S.

Candidates for the Outstanding Achievement Award:

Flora Botton Beja, Mexico

Malcolm Clarke, U.K.

David Ferguson, U.K.

Phinij Jarusombat, Thailand

Tiziana Lippiello, Italy

Thomas Rabe, Germany

Essam Sharaf, Egypt

Maxime Vivas, France

Frances Wood, U.K.

Candidates for the Friendship Envoy Award:

Martin Azzopardi, Malta

Fatma Ahmad Abdulla Albastaki, the United Arab Emirates

Laurence J. Brahm, U.S.

William Neil Brown, U.S.

Cu Thi Thuy Lan, Vietnam

Dino Patti Djalal, Indonesia

Carrillo Gantner, Australia

Taras Ivchenko, Russia

Zafar-Ud-Din Mahmood, Pakistan

Andrew T. Mok, U.S.

Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva, Kyrgyzstan

Luis Antonio Paulino, Brazil

Alicia Relinque, Spain

Justyna Katarzyna Szpakowska, Poland

Takeuchi Ryo, Japan

Roula Tsokalidou, Greece

Yang Yongju, France

YChina Media, Israel