China conferred the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award on Monday on 100 foreign experts working in the country, in recognition of their contributions to China's development.

State Councilor Shen Yiqin presented the Friendship Award to the honorees at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Shen extended congratulations to the laureates and expressed gratitude to all foreign experts and their families for their support of China's construction, reform and development.

She said that since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Communist Party of China has led the people in creating the remarkable miracle that has captured worldwide attention.

In the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has achieved historic accomplishments and undergone historic transformation, she said, adding that foreign experts have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, which the Chinese people will always remember.

Noting that China will comprehensively advance Chinese modernization and attract talent from all over the world, Shen said that the country will further deepen reform and continue to improve the support mechanism for recruiting overseas talent.

China will provide a broad stage and more convenience for foreign experts working and living in China, she said.

Shen also expressed the hope that foreign experts will continue to contribute to Chinese modernization and jointly write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between the Chinese people and people of other countries.

Andrew Graham and Ian Morrison, both senior editors at China Daily, are among the 100 winners of the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award. Acting as experts in the field of international communication, they have made great contributions to making the voices of China better heard in the world.

The Friendship Award is the highest honor to commend foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive.

Since its establishment in 1991, nearly 2,000 foreign experts have received the award.