Britain honors local cleaner with an MBE

Wu Rongzhen with her MBE medal in a picture posted by Consul-General Brian Davidson on his Weibo account.

A Shanghai woman who has worked as a cleaner at the British Consulate General in the city for the past 28 years has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Wu Rongzhen, who was presented with her gong last week by British Ambassador Sebastian Wood, was one of just 12 foreign nationals to be awarded an MBE in Queen Elizabeth II's honors list, which were announced in June.

The same round of awards made Angelina Jolie an honorary dame.

Sexagenarian Wu, who works for cleaning subcontractor ISS Facility Services, said winning the prestigious medal would encourage her to do her job as well as she possibly can and to strive to do even better.

In a speech at the award ceremony, she expressed thanks to the British government, and to all the former consul-generals and consuls with whom she has worked over the years.

Wu said that when she joined the consulate general in the 1980s there were just a few people working there.

"Now there's a team with over a hundred members.

"We've grown together," she said.

"Wu ayi has been working diligently in the consulate for 28 years ... and has created a neat and comfortable working environment," Brian Davidson, the incumbent consul-general, posted on his Weibo account.

The MBE is awarded to both British and foreign nationals for their meritorious service to Great Britain.