Professor Mackerras with his China Book Special Contribution Award

We are very pleased to congratulate Professor Emeritus Colin Mackerras, who was recently made recipient of the prestigious China Book Special Contribution Award. Colin is the 23rd recipient of the award since its establishment in 2005, and as a representative of all of this year’s award winners, he delivered the keynote speech in China on 25 August in the Great Hall of the People.

“I was very proud and honoured to receive this award on 25 August at the ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing” Professor Mackerras said.

At the ceremony, State Councillor and Politburo Member Liu Yandong 刘延东, the most senior woman in the Chinese government awarded trophy inscribed with the character shu 书, meaning “book” to the recipients.

Delivering a keynote address

Professor Mackerras “Believes very strongly in cultural understanding, interchange and sharing, as well as in knowledge and ways of interpreting and spreading it.”

“I love my own culture and am a passionate lover of Western music. But I am proud to have spent my career trying to understand and spread a culture.”

The conferral of the “Friendship Award” by the Chinese Government last year, together with the latest book award, confirms Colin’s standing as one of the leading authorities on China over the past 50 years.