Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai speaks at a ceremony where the Chinese government confers its Friendship Award on 50 foreign experts from 21 countries working in China, in recognition of their contribution to China's development, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai said China will adopt more active, open and effective policies for attracting international talent and create an environment featuring fairness, rule of law, and tolerance.

The comments were made at a ceremony where the Chinese government conferred its Friendship Award on 50 foreign experts from 21 countries working in China, in recognition of their contribution to China's development.

China will encourage foreign experts participating in important research projects and create a better mechanism for these experts to get fair return for their contribution, Ma said.

The permanent residence system will be improved, and legitimate rights and interests of foreign experts will be protected, he added.

The Friendship Award is an annual award issued by the Chinese government to honor experts who have come to work in China. It was established in 1991.