State Councilor Shen Yiqin stressed that in the last 10 years China has continuously improved services for foreign specialists and created favorable conditions for talents from all over the world participating in the process of national modernization.

According to Yiqin, this is in line with the instructions of President Xi Jinping who advocates for a more active, open and effective talent policy, providing more convenience for international specialists here.

“We sincerely hope that most foreign experts will continue to care and make more suggestions for the development of China,” he said.

During the ceremony, the laureates further exchanged with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The government’s Friendship Award is an honorary distinction established by Beijing to recognize specialists from other countries who work in China and make important contributions to China’s reform and progress.

jrr/jav/oda/idm