China's former world table tennis champion Liu Wei has been awarded the Jurade de Saint-Emilion medal. She is the the first Chinese athlete to obtain the Jurade.

Liu Wei attends the award ceremony and receives the Jurade de Saint-Emilion medal in Saint Emilion, France on September 17, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

In awarding her the Jurade, officials with the organization say Liu is being honored for her innovative approach to physical education, as well as helping spread table tennis culture around the globe.

"Table tennis is a sport that belongs to all mankind," said Liu while accepting the honor. The 7-time world champion says she hopes to make further contributions to the promotion of Eastern and Western cultures in the future.　

Liu Wei attends the award ceremony and receives the Jurade de Saint-Emilion medal in Saint Emilion, France on September 17, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Liu retired from table tennis in 1996 and later earned her Ph.D. at Peking University, where she's been an associate professor since 1999.

The award honors people for their contribution to world culture and history.