Foreign talent applauds China's opening-up policy

China has been recognized as a dynamic and opportunity-rich nation, offering a wide scope for foreign professionals to thrive and succeed. This acknowledgment comes from distinguished recipients of the 2023 Chinese Government Friendship Award.

On a Sunday at Beijing's iconic Great Hall of the People, a celebratory event took place to honor 50 foreign specialists hailing from 26 nations for their significant contributions to China's ongoing reforms and progression. Since its inception in 1991, the award program has celebrated the achievements of approximately 1,900 international individuals from more than 80 countries and territories.

Included among the 2023 honorees is Saulebek Kabylbekov, a Kazakh eye doctor associated with the Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital in China's Heilongjiang Province, who has called China his home since 1998.

From the stage of the ceremony, Kabylbekov shared, "For a quarter of a century, I have had the privilege of treating 200,000 Chinese eye patients. My journey here has made me fall ever deeper in love with both Heilongjiang and the country as a whole."

Receiving the Chinese Government Friendship Award is a significant event for Kabylbekov, he notes, because it symbolizes more than just a nod to his professional achievements—it's a reflection of the amicable ties between China and Kazakhstan. He voiced his eagerness to continue aiding Chinese patients and to further enhance the bilateral friendship.

Another voice of praise came from Erik Solheim, a Norwegian luminary and ex-UN under-secretary-general, who has observed China's remarkable progress in the realm of ecological development over the years. He mentioned that the award serves as a reminder of the essential nature of unity and collaboration among nations when faced with global difficulties.

Solheim underscored the importance of mutual respect and intercultural dialogue as cornerstones for enduring collaboration. He concluded with a commitment to upholding these values in pursuits as a friend of China.

China is a dynamic country with abundant opportunities, offering a broad platform for the growth and development of foreign experts and talents. The recipients of this recognition emphasized that they will continue to deeply engage in China's development and act as a bridge for communication between China and the rest of the world.

Yvon Marie Efflam Le Maho, a renowned French expert on biodiversity and member of the French Academy of Sciences, expressed that China is making significant efforts to attract foreign talents. As long as it remains mutually beneficial, China will undoubtedly continue to be an attractive destination for top talents worldwide, fostering successful international collaborations.

Maho also plans to strengthen collaboration with Chinese colleagues, recognizing the already excellent scientific achievements they have made. Mikhail Morozov, the deputy editor-in-chief of Russia's Trud newspaper, praised China's policy of attracting talents from diverse fields around the globe, seeing it as a positive contribution towards China's development.

Joanna Waley-Cohen, the Provost of NYU Shanghai, believes that China will become an increasingly popular destination for experts in the future. She emphasized the importance of firsthand experience in truly understanding China, acknowledging that personal visits are essential to comprehending the country's complexities and nuances.