10 June 2019 00:40

Royal Academy of Dance Vice President and Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet, Li Cunxin was today honoured in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The renowned dancer and artistic director, widely known through his autobiography Mao's Last Dancer which was made into a feature film, was shocked to hear of his award. In 2014 Li Cunxin was Queensland's Australian of the Year and now he has been awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the performing arts.

The Academy sends warm congratulations to Li Cunxin as well as to other well known arts figures who were also honoured including dancer, choreographer and former Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre Meryl Tankard, performer Hugh Jackman and actor Eric Bana who were all also recipients of the Order of Australia Medal.

Read more about Li Cunxin's remarkable life and career on his website here.