Chinese acting stars Zhang Ziyi (left) and Liu Ye pose after receiving "Chevalier" medals in the French Order of Arts and Letters at the French Embassy in Beijing on June 27 (CFP)

Chinese acting stars Zhang Ziyi and Liu Ye have received "Chevalier" medals in the Order of Arts and Letters, an honor handed out by the French Government.

The Order of Arts and Letters is a top honor given out by France's Ministry of Culture in recognition of outstanding contributors to the fields of arts and literature.

Accepting the medal on June 27 at the French Embassy in Beijing, Zhang Ziyi said much of her success owed to good luck.

Her classmate from the Central Academy of Drama, actor Liu Ye took the opportunity to show off his French skills, and recalled his youthful appreciation of the literary masterpiece The Lady of the Camellias.

Liu Ye married Frenchwoman Anais Martane in 2009. They have a son and a daughter.

The actor played Mao Zedong in the 2011 all-star epic film Beginning of the Great Revival.

Besides the "Chevalier" medal, there are also "Commandeur" (commander) and "Officier" (officer) medals in the French Order of Arts and Letters.

Chinese director Wong Kar-wai, for example, holds a "Commandeur" medal, while director Johnnie To is an "Officier."

(CRIENGLISH.com June 28, 2013)