A previous show, Overpop, at Yuz Museum, Shanghai. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The two announced in July a five-year project from 2019 to 2024. It features many cultural programs, including showing the Paris museum's collections at the West Bund art museum.

"The Legion of Honor is a great encouragement because it is a cultural recognition on the national level. It is rare," says Tek.

And he hopes it can raise awareness of what his museum has been doing.

"We are proud to say that our exhibitions, our team and educational programs have attained international recognition."

Tek says that when the museum opened in 2014, he told his staff they would have to work hard for five to seven years to make it popular. But it took less than two years. It tasted early success with the exhibition of Rain Room, a large-scale, immersive installation created by the artist group Random International.

Tek says the museum also introduces local artists with exhibitions.

He recalls hearing a collector say that he only collects antiques, which he believes are real treasures, and that he saw no good in contemporary works.

His response is: "China has produced a remarkable ancient civilization. To carry that heritage forward, people should work together to create a contemporary culture.