Chinese pianist Lang Lang scoops top German honour

Star Chinese pianist Lang Lang on Thursday won Germany's highest civilian honour in recognition of his "distinguished services" to music. Torsten Albig, leader of the small northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, said he would present Lang with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the country's only federal decoration, on August 24. Announcing the award, Albig said: "With this honour, we are marking the distinguished services of Lang Lang to German music culture and to the Schleswig-Holstein music festival." The award is "the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation," according to the German president's website. Foreigners and Germans can receive the distinction. In 2008, the last year for which data are available, 2,475 people won the award. The celebrated Lang, 30, is considered one of the world's most popular pianists and has appeared on Time Magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.