Nov 19, the Chairman of Agricultural Bank of China Mr. Xiang Junbo was awarded France's top rank Agricultural Meritorious Medal (Le mérite agricole). The award ceremony was held at  Crédit Agricole's head office. It is reported that Mr. Xiang Junbo is the only person from the Asian Financial Sector to win this honor since the Award was established in 1883.

French Central-bank Governor Christian Noyer on behalf of the government bestowed this medal on Mr. Xiang, and Crédit Agricole's Chairman Rene Charon and China's Ambassador to France, Liu Haixing attended the ceremony. About 40 people in the French finance industry attended, and the People's Bank of China, the French Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture also sent representatives.

At the ceremony, Central-bank Governor Noyer and the Chairman of Crédit Agricole gave speeches to congratulate Mr. Xiang. Both of them fully acknowledged Mr.Xiang's outstanding achievement in the financial services for China's "Three Rural Issues", as well as poverty alleviation.

The Agricultural Meritorious Medal (Le mérite agricole) was founded in 1883 by former French Minister of Agriculture Jules Meline to recognize outstanding contributions to the world in agricultural development. This title is the highest honor in the agricultural sector.

September 17, 2009, the French Supreme Council of the Agricultural Meritorious Medal made the decision to grant the highest rank Agricultural Meritorious Medal to Mr. Xiang in view of the outstanding contribution made by Agricultural Bank of China in services for "Three Rural Issues".