Expatriates receive the Hongqiao Friendship Award for their contributions to Shanghai's Changning district on Jan 31. [Photo by Gao Erqiang / chinadaily.com.cn]
On Jan 31, Shanghai's Changning district announced 10 Hongqiao Friendship Award winners and another five nominees, honored for their outstanding contribution to the district's economic and social development, as well as international communications.
As one of the Hongqiao Friendship Award winners, Per Askeland, legal representative of DNV China Co Ltd, said the award is a recognition both for himself and the company.
The attraction of Shanghai, Askeland said, comes in many forms. "It is a modern city, probably the most well-run city in the world, I would say. I'm impressed with what Shanghai and Changning (district) are doing in … creating a livelihood… with focusing on the (carbon) emission, … but also focusing on the greater areas," he said.
"I had …to say it's recognition for all the work that many people are doing, the whole team," said Sarai Nietvelt, family medicine physician, and program director of family medicine fellowship at Shanghai United Family Hospital.
Nietvelt received a phone call on Christmas Day last year (Dec 25) to tell her she was on the award shortlist, which she said left her surprised and honored.
She said she is impressed by the city's safety, efficiency, and the huge progress made over the past 20 years.
Expatriates receive the Hongqiao Friendship Award for their contributions to Shanghai's Changning district on Wednesday. [Photo by Gao Erqiang / chinadaily.com.cn]
Carlo D'Andrea, vice-president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, shares similar affection for the city.
"I feel home. I'm from Italy, and they are saying that Italians are the Chinese of Europe. So when I am here in China in Shanghai, I feel kind of home," said D'Andrea, who will mark 20 years living in Shanghai later this year.
D'Andrea said while more investment is expected from Europe to China and Shanghai, he believed there will be more and more Chinese outbound investment as well.
"I would be here. Indeed, I would like to be here to watch what's going on," he added.
The Changning district accounts for one-fifth of Shanghai's registered expatriates population, and the district houses 27 consulates and more than 200 diplomatic residences, accounting for about one-third and half of the city's total respectively, said Hou Jijun, head of the Changning district.
Changning is currently home to some 6,500 foreign-funded enterprises, including 85 regional headquarters of multinational companies, Hou added.
