Legion of Honor for ChemChina President Ren

Ren Jianxin, president of the nation's biggest chemical company China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina), was awarded the rank of commander in France's prestigious Legion of Honor on Friday for his contributions to Sino-French economic ties.

French Ambassador to China Sylvie Bermann, on behalf of the French government and President Nicolas Sarkozy, gave France's highest award to Ren at a ceremony in Beijing. The Legion of Honor was created by Napolon Bonaparte and only a few Chinese have received it.

Bermann said that six years of involvement in France by ChemChina's subsidiary China National Bluestar Group Corp (Bluestar) has created a bridge for business between the two countries.