Chinese President Meets Foreign Mayors

President Jiang Meets Participants in Major Cities Summit

Premier Zhu Rongji met Saturday with foreign experts who have won the annual "Friendship Award" presented by the Chinese government.

Speaking highly of the contributions made by foreign experts to China's development, Zhu said that foreign experts have won the respect of the Chinese people.

Peace and development are the main theme of the 21st century and the common aspiration of people all over the world as well, Zhu said, adding that China will intensify its efforts to introduce overseas talent, and further promote cooperation with the rest of the world in economic, scientific, technological, educational, cultural areas.

China welcomes foreign experts, overseas Chinese experts and international friends to take part in China's modernization drive, he said.

More than 80,000 foreign experts have come to work in China annually over the past several years, playing an important role in various fields.

The "Friendship Award" was established in 1991 to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of foreign experts to China's economic development and social progress.

The Chinese government presented the honor to 41 foreign experts from 22 countries this year. So far, nearly 600 foreign experts have been awarded the prestigious honor.