City University of Hong Kong( CUHK) Tuesday conferred honorary doctoral degrees on Chinese mainland film director Zhang Yimou and three other Hong Kong and overseas celebrities in recognition of their significant contribution to learning and the well-being of society.

The other three people are Ronald Arculli, Rita Fan and Henry T. Yang.

Zhang Yimou, a distinguished director and producer, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree.

After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy, Zhang directed his first film, Red Sorghum in 1987, which won the Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival and achieved commercial success. In 2002, his film Hero was nominated for best screenplay and best director awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Last year, House of Flying Daggers, directed by Zhang, received best foreign language film award from the L.A. Film Critics Association and best director award from the Boston Society of Film Critics.

Ronald Arculli, currently chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, received an Honorary Doctor of Social Science degree. Founder and managing partner of Arculli and Associates, a law firm, Arculli has a long and distinguished record of public service.

He was a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1988 to 2000. He has served on Hong Kong's Judicial Services Commission and some other public bodies.

Rita Fan(Hsu Lai-tai), president of the Legislative Council, received an Honorary Doctor of Social Science degree. She is a deputy to the 10th National People's Congress and supervising advisor of the Hong Kong Federation of Women.

Henry T. Yang, chancellor and professor of Mechanical Engineering of the University of California, Santa Barbara, received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree. He was formerly the Neil A. Armstrong Distinguished Professor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Purdue University, where he also served as Dean of Engineering for 10 years. 

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2005)