Pansy Ho Chiu-king, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), received an Honorary Doctorate in Arts from Renmin University of China (RUC) on Nov 7. Ho also serves as a vice-chairwoman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, a member of the Standing Committee of the All-China Women's Federation and executive chairwoman and managing director of Shun Tak Holdings.

Zhang Donggang (left), chair of the University Council of Renmin University of China, poses with Pansy Ho Chiu-king after presenting the degree certificate. [Photo/ruc.edu.cn]

Zhang Donggang, chair of the University Council, presented the degree certificate and performed the tassel-turning ceremony.

Zhang Donggang delivers a speech. [Photo/ruc.edu.cn]

In his remarks, Zhang commended Ho as an outstanding patriot devoted to Hong Kong, Macao and the nation; a driving force behind the integrated, innovative and reform-oriented development of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA); and a dedicated promoter of the arts, culture and tourism industries.

As he awarded Ho the honorary doctorate, Zhang said, it was not only a tribute to her distinguished achievements, but also recognition of the shared spirit and values she holds with RUC. Zhang expressed his hope of working together with Ho and colleagues from Hong Kong and Macao to cultivate professionals for the nation, broaden channels for cultural exchange and align with national strategic priorities — contributing educational, intellectual and human resources to the realization of the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. 

Pansy Ho Chiu-king [Photo/ruc.edu.cn]

Ho expressed her deep appreciation in her keynote speech and said that RUC, home to many esteemed figures in the humanities, social sciences and arts, is a revered center of scholarship, and that she felt deeply honored to become part of the RUC community.

"As a vital platform for national development, GBA is committed to building a 'Humanistic Bay Area,' promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese culture, and shaping a cultural hub of global influence," Ho said.

She emphasized her commitment to drawing from the essence of traditional Chinese culture, exploring new pathways for cross-cultural integration and advancing the deep convergence of industrial and technological innovation. Ho also said she looked forward to working with RUC to cultivate talented young professionals who possess cultural understanding, creativity, aesthetic sensibility and integrative vision, and to foster a sustainable cultural and artistic ecosystem that encourages meaningful exchange among diverse cultures and peoples.

Ho encouraged RUC students to stay rooted in Chinese culture, integrate art with business and embrace technological change to become vitalizers of Chinese aesthetics, explorers of industrial innovation and shapers of the art of the future. She urged them to bridge technology and the humanities, connect theory and practice and stand tall between China and the world.

As a prominent patriot based in Hong Kong and Macao, Pansy Ho Chiu-king has long promoted the integration of the two regions into China's national development agenda. As a key facilitator of China's cultural and tourism industries, and an advocate for heritage preservation and international cultural cooperation, she has played a vital role in strengthening collaboration across the Greater Bay Area, promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing China's global cultural influence.