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Mr. Fang Hai of Guangdong University of Technology and Mr. Zhou Haoming of Tsinghua University received the honours in an event hosted by Ambassador Marja Rislakki and Mayor Jussi Pajunen at the Ambassador’s residence on 12th of May, 2016.

Key persons of two prominent Chinese universities, Mr. Fang Hai, Professor and Rector of School of Art and Design Guangdong University of Technology, and Mr. Zhou Haoming, Professor at the Academy of Arts & Design of Tsinghua University, were granted the Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland for their contributions to the Finnish-Chinese relations. The decoration is based on the decision by the President of the Republic of Finland in his capacity as the Grand Master of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

Both Professor Fang and Professor Zhou have contributed greatly in making Finnish design and architecture known in China and bringing together Chinese and Finnish academicians, experts, entrepreneurs and other important decision makers in these fields. Thus, they have reinforced the good relations between the countries.

Mr. Fang Hai is Professor and Rector of School of Art and Design Guangdong University of Technology; he has Doctor of Arts degree from University of Art and Design Helsinki.

He has written and published more than 100 academic articles and has worked extensively with Finnish designers and architects, including Professor Yrjö Kukkapuro.

At the Guangdong University of Technology, Professor Fang has started to practice modern design teaching system on the basis of Aalto design teaching philosophy and has invited more than 10 Finnish design masters and professors to teach in the University since 2011.

He has also created a team to apply for the Top-level China Government funding for research organized by Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mr. Zhou Haoming is Professor at the Academy of Arts & Design of Tsinghua University, Doctoral Tutor and Head of Sustainable Design Institute of Arts and Science Research Center of Tsinghua University.

He has studied and given lectures as senior visiting scholar and exchange professor in Aalto University, Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture. He has extensively introduced Finnish design and architecture to China and has translated, among other publications, the book “Finnish Design: a Concise History” into Chinese.

Professor Zhou has promoted the exchanges in this field, for example, by taking Chinese students to Finland to participate in the yearly Habitare furniture, interior decoration and design fair in Helsinki, especially its section regarding eco-design.

He has also brought Finnish design experts to China in the way of events, such as the Tao of Sustainability that focuses on the important issue of sustainable design.

The decoration ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s residence on 12th of May during the kick-off event Moi Helsinki hosted by Ambassador Rislakki and Mayor of Helsinki, Mr. Jussi Pajunen. Around 500 people took part in the event, including decision makers in the field culture, government, business, media and education.