Shanghai: Shanghai presented its annual Magnolia Silver Award to 50 outstanding foreigners from 18 countries on Saturday, recognizing their significant contributions to the city’s development and international exchanges.
The ceremony took place at the Grand Halls on the northern end of the Bund, with Kong Fu’an, director-general of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, conferring the medals and certificates to the recipients.
In his address, Kong emphasized Shanghai’s status as an international, innovative, and inclusive city that has taken the lead in achieving Chinese-style modernization. He highlighted the vital roles that foreigners, foreign-invested enterprises, and foreign institutions play in the city, noting that they have been “not only witnesses, but also active participants and contributors.”
This year’s award recipients come from diverse fields such as trade, finance, technology, shipping, healthcare, education, culture, sports, and agriculture. Among those honored was Pietro Brambilla from Italy, North Asia chief financial officer at L’Oreal China. Brambilla has spearheaded L’Oreal’s investment and development in Shanghai, helping the Chinese market become the company’s largest globally. He has also contributed to creating a market-oriented, law-based, and international business environment in the city. Kong also recognized Dmitri Mokhov from Canada, an airframe model development expert at COMAC Shanghai Aircraft Customer Service. Mokhov has led his team in overcoming numerous technical challenges and filling various gaps, significantly contributing to the “Shanghai Manufacturing” brand.
Hong Shen from the United States, senior vice-president and head of Roche Innovation Center of China at Roche R&D Center (China) Ltd, was praised for his efforts in establishing Roche China’s accelerator and upgrading its innovation center. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
