Paris, 10 May 2000 {No.2000-47} - Chinese actress Gong Li was named yesterday UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General of the Organization, Koïchiro Matsuura, "in recognition of her dedication to the Organization's ideals and aims." The ceremony took place in the presence of the Chairperson of UNESCO's Executive Board Sonia Mendieta de Badaroux, the Chinese Ambassador to France Wu Jianmin and the Chinese Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Zhang Chongli.

During the ceremony, Koïchiro Matsuura underlined that the great interest shown by Gong Li in education and the environment would "offer fertile ground for our future co-operation". Describing the actress as "a dazzling representative of one of the world's great civilisations," the Director-General said her support for UNESCO's activities would help the Organization reach all those who have been touched by the magic of her art.

The Director-General reiterated UNESCO's mission to facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding between peoples, an ambitious task in which the Organization relies on the help of many different partners, including UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors and Artists for Peace. "Leading international personalities can, through their influence and charisma, their fame and their audience, give extraordinary resonance to UNESCO's message," he added.

In her acceptance speech, Gong Li said: "I will do my best in promoting the education of the world's children and for the protection of the environment, and would appreciate your support in order to fulfil this most challenging task."

Gong Li began her career in 1987 with Red Sorghum (Golden Bear at the Berlin Festival). Next came Ju Dou (1990), Wives and Concubines (1991), Qiu Ju, A Chinese Woman (1992), Farewell, My Concubine (1993), To Live (1994), Shanghai Triad (1995), Temptress Moon (1996), Chinese Box (1997) and The Emperor and the Murderer (1999). Several of these films have received awards at Venice and Cannes. Gong Li was awarded the Prize for Best Actress at Venice in 1992 for her role in Qiu Ju, A Chinese Woman.