It’s a long way from an impoverished village in China to inclusion on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, but it’s just the latest chapter in Li Cunxin storied life.

The man who became known to the world as Mao’s Last Dancer has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his services to the arts.

Li, the artistic director of the Queensland Ballet, tells Mark he is humbled by the honour and says he sometimes can’t believe how his life has worked out.

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