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Academia Sinica President James C. Liao has been awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) by the French government, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing Taiwan–France academic exchange, strengthening international scientific collaboration, and promoting science as a global public good.

The decoration ceremony took place on September 2, 2025, at the Résidence de France in Taipei. The insignia was presented on behalf of the French government by Professor Pierre-Paul Zalio, President of Campus Condorcet and scientific adviser to the President of France.

In his remarks, President Liao expressed deep gratitude for receiving one of France’s highest honors. He emphasized that this distinction was not only a personal recognition but also a symbol of the close and expanding ties between Taiwan and France in the field of science. He further underscored France’s long-standing tradition of valuing freedom in culture and scholarship, hoping that Taiwan’s academic community would continue to uphold these ideals—caring for society and fostering a research environment that stands above politics, where scholars may “explore freely, exchange openly, and respect one another,” thereby advancing science, the humanities, and ideas.

Taiwan as a Key Hub for French Research in East Asia

The Legion of Honor, founded by Napoleon in 1802, is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in culture, science, industry, or public service. President Liao’s investiture as Chevalier reflects both his leadership in promoting academic exchange between Academia Sinica and French institutions, and his international standing as a scientist who has helped position Taiwan as a vital center for French research on East Asian history and culture.

In recent years, President Liao has led multiple delegations of Academia Sinica administrators and researchers to France, forging partnerships with major institutions such as the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), and Campus Condorcet. These agreements have facilitated academic exchanges and talent development initiatives.

In May 2023, Academia Sinica and EHESS launched a joint doctoral training program, which has already welcomed nine Ph.D. students to Taipei in just two years. That same year, Academia Sinica began a publishing exchange with Campus Condorcet, donating nearly 400 humanities and social sciences volumes to establish a dedicated “Taiwan Book Section,” giving French scholars greater access to Taiwan-focused research. The fact that the insignia was conferred by Professor Zalio of Campus Condorcet carries particular significance.

Furthermore, Academia Sinica’s Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences and its Institute of History and Philology have long hosted the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC) and the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), enabling French scholars to conduct continuous research in Taiwan. These collaborations have firmly established Taiwan as a vital base for French research on East Asian culture and history.

Beyond the humanities, President Liao’s global influence in science has also been recognized. In 2018, he was elected to the Governing Board of the International Science Council (ISC). During his term, he made multiple visits to the ISC headquarters in Paris to participate in meetings, contributing to shaping global science strategies and promoting science as a shared resource for all humanity.

France’s decision to award this honor acknowledges not only President Liao’s individual achievements in scientific leadership and international collaboration, but also underscores Academia Sinica’s role as a crucial partner in advancing Taiwan–France academic exchange and global scientific cooperation.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Corrado Neri, Director of CEFC Taipei; Frank Muyard, Head of EFEO Taipei; French researchers and doctoral students at Academia Sinica; as well as recipients of the Taiwan–France Science Award, all of whom shared in this moment of recognition.