Eighty-four foreign experts were presented with the Friendship
Award by Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu at a ceremony in Beijing
Wednesday for their contributions to China's economic and social
development.
Calling foreign experts "intimate friends" and "contributors,"
Hui said they work diligently in various fields of China's
construction, teaching Chinese people technology and experience
from other countries and extending precious support with their
intelligence and efforts.
"The Chinese government and people will never forget the
contribution they have made to our modernization cause," he
added.
He said China will continue to improve the working and living
conditions of foreign experts and create a favorable external
environment for them. China will also protect the intellectual
property rights of its foreign experts, he said.
The vice premier said while China attaches great importance to
developing domestic expertise under the strategy of empowering the
country with talented people, the country equally emphasizes
foreign expertise.
"China will continue to bring in foreign brains and learn from
the achievements of their civilizations," said Hui, adding that the
country welcomes their participation in the modernization
drive.
The vice premier said he believes quick modernization in every
field of social and economic development is creating immense demand
for expertise, which promises enormous opportunities for those
coming to China.
(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2004)