Mexican Sinologist shows China's culture to world

The name "Bai Peilan" stands out on the list of winners of the inaugural Orchid Awards, its classical Chinese quality contrasting with the names of other foreigners honored for fostering cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

Bai Peilan is the Chinese name of Mexican academic Flora Botton Beja, a professor at the Center for Asian and African Studies at El Colegio de Mexico. The Chinese character lan in her name stands for orchid in English. In traditional Chinese culture, the orchid symbolizes elegance, nobility and friendship.

Now in her 90s, she was honored with the outstanding achievement award at the Orchid Awards on Sept 8, in recognition of decades of dedication to studying and introducing China to not only Mexico, but to all Spanish-speaking countries.