Chinese author Liu Zhenyun is awarded Morocco's highest cultural honor by the country's Ministry of Culture in Casablanca, on February 11, 2017. [Photo/Beijing Evening News]

Liu Zhenyun has become the first Chinese author to receive Morocco's highest cultural honor.

Given by the Ministry of Culture of Morocco, the prize aims to commend authors that speak different languages and whose works have had a great influence on the literature of Morocco and the Arab world.

The award was handed out during Morocco's 23rd International Book Fair in Casablanca.

This isn't the first time Liu Zhenyun has been honored by the Arab world. In 2016 he was given a similar award by Egypt.

After receiving the honor, Liu expressed his gratitude to many translators, saying that their hard work had taken his literary works to Morocco and the Arab world.

Liu also said that he felt at home wherever he found his works. "The way of living and attitude towards life in the Arab world touches me deeply, and I am inspired by Arab literary works. The more I know different cultures, the more I know there is much room for me to improve. I'll start all over again for my next literary work." said Liu.

Liu's works have been published not only in Morocco, but also Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Iraq, Tunisia and other countries in the region.

Born in 1958, Liu Zhenyun is also a professor of Renmin University of China. He is also the recipient of the Mao Dun Literature Prize, one of the highest honors in literature in China.