Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai addresses at the award ceremony in Beijing on Sept. 29, 2016. (Photo/Xinhua)
The Chinese government on Thursday conferred its Friendship Award on 50 foreign experts from 18 countries working in China, in recognition of their contribution to China's development.
Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai said China will adopt more active, open and effective policies for attracting foreign talent, protect their rights and interests, and create a better environment for their work.
China has recently integrated foreign experts work permits and alien employment licenses into foreigner's work permits and will improve work and living conditions for foreign experts.
China is in the process of implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, he said, welcoming foreign experts to work with Chinese people to create a better future.
The "Friendship Award" is an annual award issued by the Chinese government to honor outstanding foreign experts in China. It was established in 1991.
