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FILE - In an Oct. 2, 2013 file photo Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang arrives for the Classic BRIT Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in central London. Lang was selected by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Monday Oct. 28, 2013, to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, file)

China’s superstar pianist Lang Lang selected by UN chief as a UN Messenger of Peace

China’s superstar pianist Lang Lang has been selected by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace — a role he says is more important than his music because it can help improve the lives of children around the world through education.

Being a Messenger of Peace is the highest honour bestowed by the U.N. chief on accomplished individuals in any field.

Secretary-General Ban announced his selection of Lang at a news conference Monday, calling the 31-year-old pianist “one of the most exciting and accomplished musicians of our time.”

Lang has been a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. children’s agency, UNICEF, for the last 10 years and Ban said he will focus on getting the 57 million school-age children who aren’t getting an education into classrooms.

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