We are pleased to learn that Ms. Pansy Ho, Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director, has been bestowed with the title and rank of “Officier dans L’Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur” by the French government in recognition of her key role in promoting the exceptional cultural ties uniting France and China – especially in the Hong Kong and Macau SARs.
Ms. Pansy Ho is passionate about culture and the arts, believing that mutual learning and exchanges allow civilizations to enrich each other and thrive. This conviction has inspired her to actively serve as a cultural ambassador between China and France. Over the years, she has leveraged her accumulated resources to promote cultural, artistic and commercial exchanges between China and France, giving full play to Hong Kong and Macao’s role as “super-connector” to help deepen international cooperation and engagement.
Having been a dedicated member for over three decades and now serving as Co-Chair of the French May Arts Festival, Ms. Pansy Ho has helped develop it into one of Asia’s largest and more influential French cultural activities. As the first Ambassador of the Louvre in China, she has long been involved in promoting cooperation between the Louvre Museum and Chinese cultural institutions, facilitating exhibitions and heritage conservation efforts. In 2024, the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations and the China‑France Year of Culture and Tourism, Ms. Pansy Ho facilitated the signing of memorandum of cooperation between the Guimet Museum and two leading Chinese cultural institutions — the Dunhuang Academy and the Sichuan Museum, promoting digital sharing of Dunhuang culture and cooperation in the conservation of cultural relics respectively.
Furthermore, The France Macau Chamber of Commerce, which she was involved in setting up, actively builds bridges between French and Greater Bay Area enterprises, helping them seize greater opportunities in the region. The Global Tourism Economy Forum, which she initiated, is dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of the global tourism industry and France has actively participated over the years, sharing in the opportunities of the tourism economy.
Ms. Pansy Ho was conferred the rank of “Chevalier de L’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur” by the French government in 2018. On receiving another high honour, she said with deep gratitude: “This is also a testament to the enduring cultural ties between China and France. It affirms that culture and the arts are the deepest bridges between people. In an era of profound transformation, where global shifts remind us of the value of genuine human connection, inclusive dialogue has become ever more essential. It is here that culture and the arts reveal their unique, timeless power and quality.”
She expressed that, going forward, she will continue to serve as a bridge for China and France, to further fruitful cooperation between the two nations and sustain their enduring friendship.
The “Légion d’Honneur” is the highest distinction bestowed by the French Republic. Since its establishment in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, it has been conferred upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to France and society. The “Légion d’Honneur” is divided into five grades: Chevalier, Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier, and Grand Croix.