Six French on Monday in Paris won the honor of "the Prize for Contribution to Cultural Exchanges" from the Chinese government.

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was present at the ceremony in which medals and certificates were conferred upon the six people who have made outstanding contributions to promoting cultural exchanges between France and China.

The six recipients include French Minister for Culture and Communications Renaud donnedieu de Vabres and former ambassador to China Jean-Pierre Lafon.

China's Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng, who accompanied Premier Wen on a four-day official visit to France, presided over the ceremony, held in a hall of Orsy Museum in Paris, on behalf of the Chinese government.

The Prize for Contribution to Cultural Exchanges, the highest honor in culture conferred by the Chinese government, was created in 1996 to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to promoting cultural exchanges with China.

So far, more than 10 personages and groups from foreign countries as well as from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan have won the honor.

Source: Xinhua