Tsinoy taipan Lucio Tan was named one of the recipients of 2016 Pride of China (中華之光) award in ceremonies held in Beijing last December.
Tan was cited for his outstanding contribution in propagating Chinese culture through education.
Back in the 1980s, aside from his support for the University of the East, Tan supported Chinese education by establishing a research center and opening the Tan Yan Kee Library named after his father.
He also funded summer study tours in China for high school students from Tsinoy schools to learn the Chinese language as well as arts like calligraphy, painting, martial arts, dance and singing, in order to enhance their familiarity with and appreciation of Chinese culture. Since 2001, over 12,000 Tsinoys have participated in these study tours.
Tan, described as the most influential personality in the Philippines in promoting Chinese culture, received the award with wife, Carmen.
Pride of China, the highest cultural event in China, is jointly organized by the Information Office of the State Council, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Hanban or Confucius Institute Headquarters, the Chinese Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and China Central Television.