Congratulations!

Professor Wu Jiang, vice president of the Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC), was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture

Reading guide

The French Ministry of Culture awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres to Prof. Wu Jiang (vice president of UPSC) and Prof. Shao Yong (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University), in recognition of their outstanding contributions to urban heritage conservation and Sino-French exchanges.

The awarding ceremony for Prof. Wu and Shao was officially held in the official residence of the Consulate General for Frence at Shanghai at 18:30 p.m., May 25, 2021.

Lou Yongqi (vice president of Tongji University), Yan Aihua (deputy director of Foreign Affairs Office), Prof. Liu Song (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University), Prof. Ruan Yisan, Prof. Zhou Jian, Prof. Zhuo Jian and many other leaders and staffs were invited to attend.

Professors and staffs from Tongji University attend the ceremony      (Photographer: Jiang Ping)

Mr. Ji Bowei, the Consul General for France at Shanghai, reviewed the career of Professor Wu and Shao. Prof. Wu has been working in Tongji University and Shanghai municipal government for more than 40 years, actively introducing the French experience into the practice of Chinese cities. Prof. Wu Jiang and Prof. Zhou Jian promoted the planning of historical and cultural conservation in Shanghai. Prof. Wu also brought new perspective to France, and was elected as an academician of the French Academy of Architectural Sciences in 2015.

Prof. Shao Yong formed a deep relationship with France after the international conference on Sino-European historical cities held by UNESCO in Suzhou in 1998. With the support of Mr. Alan Mainos (president of Ecole de Chaillot) and Ms. Francoise Ged, she became the first Chinese student to participate in the training of French national architects. After returning to China, she actively promoted exchanges and cooperation in the field of heritage conservation between China and France, and organized four joint designs for urban and rural heritage conservation. At the same time, she also provided ideas for the conservation and development of Pingyao, Lijiang, southern Anhui villages and ancient towns in Jiangnan. Prof. Shao made an important contribution to the conservation of historical and cultural areas in Shanghai when she worked as vice director of Xuhui District Planning and Land Bureau.

The Consul General thinks that Professor Wu and Shao promoted a kind of urban planning and heritage concept with humanistic feelings. They are opposed to destroying the outstanding architectural heritage preserved in the thousands of years of Chinese civilization, they do not adopt rigid and closed heritage preservation methods but formulate a future-oriented urban planning for the benefit of local residents, which is a kind of urban planning paradigm with integration and cohesion. There is a word "urbanit é" in French, is not only "art of life", but also "city life". When we may be isolated from each other as a result of the border closures caused by the epidemic, we need to live together more humanely than ever before.

Speech by French consul general in Shanghai     (Photographer: Jiang Ping)

Award decoration

In recognition of their outstanding contributions to urban heritage conservation and Sino-French exchanges, the French Ministry of Culture has awarded Professor Wu and Shao the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres.

Professor Wu Jiang's Award     (Photographer: Jiang Ping)

Professor Shao Yong's Award     (Photographer: Jiang Ping)

After the grand ceremony, Professor Wu and Shao spoke successively.

Speech by Prof. Wu Jiang     (Photographer: Jiang Ping)

Prof. Wu first expressed his thanks to the French Ministry of Culture for its affirmation. This honor is supported by many colleagues and students from Tongji University. His love for the country and the city has devoted himself to the field of urban heritage conservation in recent decades. He also had the honor to contact many French experts who have given great help and brought a lot of enlightenment, including French architect Mr. Munier, Mr. Marinos of Ecole de Chaillot and Prof. Clement (former Dean of the École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Paris-Belleville). This honor is not only an affirmation of his past work, but also a spur for his future work. Historical and cultural heritage is an important part of precious civilization, not only belongs to a city, but also to the whole world. Therefore, the conservation of historical and cultural heritage is a responsibility for the future, and it needs our joint efforts.

Speech by Prof. Shao Yong      (Photographer: Yang Chen)

Prof. Shao Yong said that it is both an affirmation and a responsibility for her to receive the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture with Prof. Wu Jiang. First of all, she expressed her gratitude to her mentor, Prof. Ruan Yisan, for leading her firmly on the road of heritage conservation. She specially mentioned that it is the open and inclusive atmosphere, the spirit of pursuing excellence and the very international platform of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning that enable teachers to have their own development space and play a unique role in their respective fields. Prof. Shao said that we should promote more in-depth cooperation between China and France in research, teaching and practice in the field of cultural heritage.

Vice President Lou Yongqi delivered a speech     (photographer: Jiang Ping)

On behalf of Tongji University, vice president Lou Yongqi expressed warm congratulations to Professor Wu and Shao for their honorary service. 

Speech by Secretary Liu Song      (Photographer: Jiang Ping)

On behalf of Tongji University, vice president Lou Yongqi expressed warm congratulations to Professor Wu and Shao for their honorary service. 

Prof. Ruan Yisan and Prof. Zhou Jian, the winners of the Chevalier for art and literature of the French Ministry of culture in 2005, also congratulated the two newly decorated Chevaliers.

Professor Ruan Yisan delivered a congratulatory speech      (photographer: Jiang Ping)

Prof. Zhou Jian delivered a congratulatory speech      (photographer: Yang Yizhou)

After the ceremony, the guests have a relaxed and warm exchange.

Group photo of four Chevaliers of Art and Literature     （Photographer：Xu Kanda）

Prof. Ruan Yisan presents a book to French consul general in Shanghai     （Photographer：Xu Kanda）

#Chevalier des Arts et Lettres#

The "Chevalier des Arts et Lettres" was established by the French Ministry of Culture in 1957 to honor outstanding figures in the literary or artistic circles, or to make outstanding contributions for promoting French culture worldwide.

    Source:<http://www.planning.org.cn>

Translated by Ning Chai