Life Journey
Jao Tsung-i, courtesy names Bolian and Xuantang, secondary personal name Gu’an, was born into a scholarly family in Chaozhou, Guangzhou in 1917. A world renowned scholar in Chinese and Oriental Studies as well as arts and culture, Professor Jao has devoted over 70 years of academic excellence, as well as mentorship to generations of students. Undertaking a diverse but converging path in his scholarly pursuits, his contributions cover 13 genres ranging across the whole field of Sinology, including ancient history, oracle bone inscriptions, silk scripts, paleography, ancient musicology, religion, Chuchi, historiography (including Chaozhou studies), history of East-West relationship, Dunhuangnology, bibliographical studies, classical Chinese literature, Chinese history of fine arts, etc. A prolific writer, he is the author of over 100 books and over 1000 scholarly articles, many of which have opened up new vistas of research possibilities.
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters，The University of Hong Kong
In 1982, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by The University of Hong Kong. It was also his first honorary degree of doctor of letters.
Honorary Doctor of Letters in Humnities of École Pratique des Hautes Études, France
In 1993, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by École Pratique des Hautes Études, France. It was the first time this institute conferred the doctorate degree after the institute had been established for 125 years.
Professor Jao with Professor Kristofer Marinus Schipper (left) and other friends (26th November, 1993)
Medal for the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters, the Minister of Culture, France
1993
Beginning in 1958, Professor Jao was regularly invited to lecture in Paris by institutes such as French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, France etc. The French Minister of Culture awarded this medal to Professor Jao in appreciation of his contribution to the cultural and art exchange between China and France.
Doctor of Humanities honoris causa of Lingnan College
In 1995, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Lingnan College (the present Lingnan University).
Doctor of Letters honoris causa of The Open University of Hong Kong
In 1999, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by The Open University of Hong Kong.
2000 Awarding Ceremony for the Grand Bauhinia Medal
At the 2000 Honours and Awards Ceremony held at the Government House, Mr Tung Chee-hwa, the then Chief Executive of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, presented the Grand Bauhinia Medal to Professor Jao.
Dunhuang Cultural Relics Special Award for Conservation and Research
Professor Jao attended the International Conference on Dunhuang Studies held in Dunhuang in 2000. On the evening of the opening ceremony, Professor Jao was presented this award and certificate by the Gansi Provincial People's Government and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China in recognition of his contribution to Dunhuang studies.
Academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, Russia
In 2001, Professor Jao was appointed as Acedemician of the International Academy of Sciences in Russia.
Doctor of Letters honoris causa of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
In 2003, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Doctor of Literature honoris causa of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
In 2003, Professor Jao was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature by The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Doctor of Humanities honoris causa of the University of Macau
In 2004, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities by the University of Macau.
Doctor honoris causa of Soka University, Japan
In 2006, Professor Jao was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Soka University, Japan.
Lifetime Achievement Award of Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Professor Jao granted Lifetime Achievement Award by Hong Kong Arts Development Council, presented by Chief Executive Donald Tsang (2009)
Premier Wen Jiabao meeting with Professor Jao at the Central Research Institute of Culture and History, Beijing (2010)
7th President of Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society
Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society was established in Hangzhou in 1904, the organisation with the longest history in researching seal engraving at home and abroad. On 13th December 2011, Professor Jao was appointed as the 7th President of Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society.
Vice-Premier Li Keqiang meeting with Professor Jao at Hong Kong University (2011)
Naming Certificate of ‘Jao Tsung-i Star’
The Zijinshan Observatory in Nanjing named an asteroid (#10017) after Professor Jao (2011)
On 19th October 2011, the naming ceremony of ‘Jao Tsung-i Star’ was held at Happy Valley Clubhouse of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. At the ceremony, Mr Lu Chunlin, the then Secretary of the Purple Mountain Observatory, presented the naming certificate to Professor Jao.
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of Tasmania, Australia
In 2011, Professor Jao was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of Tasmania, Australia.
Doctor of Letters honoris causa of Hong Kong Shue Yan University
In 2012, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Hong Kong Shue Yan University.
Doctor of Letters honoris causa of Hong Kong Baptist University
In 2012, Professor Jao was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Hong Kong Baptist University.
Associate Foreign Member of Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, Institut de France
In December 2012, Professor Jao was named Associate Foreign Member of Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, Institut de France, the highest honour among other foreign member categories. Professor Jao was the first Asian scholar who received this honour. On 19th September 2013, ‘Induction Ceremony for Professor the Honourable Jao Tsung-I, GBM as Associate Foreign Member of Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres Institut de France’ was held at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
University Laureate Presentation Ceremony, The University of Hong Kong
On 10th January 2014, the ‘University Laureate Presentation Ceremony’ was held at The University of Hong Kong. At the ceremony, Professor Tsui Lap-Chee, the then President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong, presented the honour of ‘The Inaugural University Laureate’ to Professor Jao, the highest academic honour of the University. Professor Jao was also the first scholar awarded this honour.
Honorary Doctorate of Shandong University.
In 2014, Professor Jao was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Shandong University.
The Jao Tsung-I Academy was inaugurated in 16th June, at a ceremony presided over by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. (16th June, 2014)
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR renamed the Hong Kong Institution for Promotion of Chinese Culture, formerly Lai Chi Kok Hospital, as Jao Tsung-I Academy to celebrate Professor Jao’s contributions to Hong Kong.
‘Chen Yinque Award’ of Sun Yat-sen University
In 2014, Professor Jao was presented the ‘Chen Yinque Award’ by Sun Yat-sen University.
Vice-Primer Li Keqiang meeting with Professor Jao in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai (2015)