CONGRATULATIONS are in order to TV and movie magnate Sir Run Run Shaw, who yesterday was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Award - an international award made annually in France to notable figures who have been supportive of the arts.

The jury who selected this year's four winners included opera star Placido Domingo, designer Karl Lagerfield, playwright Arthur Miller and our very own ballet queen, Jean Wong.

The sprightly Sir Run Run can frequently be seen on the ultra-select cocktail circuit and nearly always surrounded by beautiful ladies. Which probably accounts for the mischievous twinkle ever-present in his eye.

Unfortunately, philanthropist Sir Run Run was in Beijing yesterday in his capacity as a Hongkong affairs adviser and therefore unable to accept the award in person. Ms Wong deputised for him at the Opera Comique Theatre in Paris.