Professor Chunli Bai has made innovative and sustained contributions to nanomaterials over three decades. He pioneered China's nanotechnology effort, both as leading scientist and as policy-maker. He has published more than 350 journal papers, and 12 monographs and book chapters. He has been elected as a member of 15 major academies of science or engineering worldwide, and has received over 20 prestigious awards and prizes, including the first UNESCO medal for contributions to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. He was instrumental in facilitating and consolidating long-lasting collaborations between China and Canada.