Lan Tianye photo:VCG

Renowned Chinese actor and painter Lan Tianye was one of the people who received the July 1 Medal, among other recipients such as scientists, war veterans, and educators at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday.

Lan was the only actor who received this highest honor bestowed by the Communist Party of China (CPC) out of the 29 outstanding Party members who have won the July 1 medals, such as Chinese educator Zhang Guimei who helped impoverished girls enter college and war veteran Wang Zhanshan from the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).

The 94-year-old artist won the China Theater Award for life achievement in 2013, and was awarded the title of outstanding CPC member in 2016. He is a painter, collector and actor. 

Lan became known for his various roles in theater such as Qin Zhongyi in Teahouse, a play written by Chinese dramatist Lao She, and Jiang Ziya, a Chinese fictional character in the TV drama God of Honor, adapted from a Chinese classic novel.

The star is more than an actor as he worked for the CPC when he was in his 20s, and became a Party member in 1945, when he also kicked off his theater career. He was intrigued by acting back then but never imagined he would be working in the field for decades, Lan told the media.

Lan Tianye's real name is Wang Runsen. He changed his name in 1948 for security reasons after the Chinese Civil War broke out, but chose to keep the name throughout his career.

In 1949, Lan attended the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China as a member of the team hosting the cultural delegation from the Soviet Union. According to media reports, Lan, who was 22 at the time, said that he had experienced several wars in China, "and that's why I knew the CPC would win".

Lan worked at the Beijing People's Art Theatre as an actor and director right after it was founded in 1952, and retired in 1987.

"As a red artist, he always has a passion for this country," Ren Ming, the president of the theater, told media, "He greatly respects his job as an actor and is strict with what he does when it comes to arts."

"He is an adorable artist in his 90s," actress Lu Ting told the media, "He cares about the young actors in the country and always prepares well before rehearsals."

The July 1 Medals were conferred at the Great Hall of the People Tuesday morning as the CPC marks its 100th anniversary this year, and is the highest honor given by the Party to outstanding CPC members in different development phases of the country.

Global Times