The professor of the Qiqihar University was given this important award for a major contribution to the development of Russian-Chinese cultural ties.
President Putin noted that he was particularly happy to give the Order of Friendship to a person who had been so devoted to his field throughout his life – the study of Russian language and literature.
The Chinese scholar is the author of a five-volume anthology of works by Russian emigrants living in Harbin.
Mr Putin said that the anthology should be interesting not just for Chinese readers, but also for Russian readers, as emigre literature in Harbin has not been studied very much.
Mr Putin noted that Professor Li is the deputy head of the Amur branch of the Russian Writers’ Union.
President Putin and Professor Li also discussed the work of Chinese Russian specialists and the prospects for studying Russian in China.
Next year it is planned to release a ten-volume collection of works of Russian writers and poets living in emigration in China.