Shanghai Municipal Government Decision on Awarding the “Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award”
To further enhance Shanghai’s international cooperation, exchange, urban development level, and promote economic and social development, and to recognize the outstanding contributions made by foreign nationals in Shanghai, after recommendations, preliminary review, preliminary selection, evaluation, consultation with relevant departments, and public announcement, the municipal government has decided to award the following foreign nationals the “Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award”:
1. Award the title of “Shanghai Honorary Citizen” to 2 individuals including Simon Lichtenberg.
2. Award the “Magnolia Honor Award” to 28 individuals including Eric Cornuel.
We hope the above award-winning foreign nationals will continue their efforts and make greater contributions to Shanghai’s “Five Centers” construction.
Attachment: List of “Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award” Recipients (Sorted by Chinese Pinyin Initials)
Attachment
List of “Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award” Recipients
(Sorted by Chinese Pinyin Initials)
Shanghai Honorary Citizen Recipients List
No.
Name
Nationality
Organization and Position
1
Simon Lichtenberg
Denmark
Founder and CEO, Treering Group
2
Christoph Franz
Austria, Germany, Switzerland
Chairman of the Board, Roche Group
Magnolia Honor Award Recipients List
No.
Name
Nationality
Organization and Position
1
Eric Cornuel
France
Vice Chairman, CEIBS at Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2
Alain Genthon
France
General Manager, FGT Engineering Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (also known as GTT China)
3
David K. Dai
United States
President, Montage Technology Co., Ltd.
4
Derek Deane
United Kingdom
Artistic Advisor, Shanghai Ballet
5
Joost Vlaanderen
Netherlands
President, Greater China Region, Mondelēz International
6
Ludwin Monz
Germany
President and CEO, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG; Member of the Executive Board, Zeiss Group
7
George Lin
United Kingdom
Legal Representative, Bureau Veritas (China) Co., Ltd.; Senior Vice President, Asia-Pacific & President, China
8
Gregory A. Houchins
United States
Chief Technology Officer, Shanghai Refire Group Co., Ltd.
9
Chris Gu
United States
Global Senior Vice President & President, Greater China, Medtronic (Shanghai) Management Co., Ltd.
10
Laurent R. Houlier
France
Director & Global Managing Partner, French Business Group, Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP
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Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award
The Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award is an official honor presented by the Shanghai Municipal Government to recognize and commend outstanding foreign experts for their significant contributions to the city’s development. Established in 1989, the award is named after the magnolia, Shanghai’s official city flower, symbolizing the city’s gratitude and the flourishing friendship between Shanghai and the international community.
Shanghai Honorary Citizen
“Shanghai Honorary Citizen” is not a physical place but an honorary title awarded by the Shanghai Municipal Government to foreigners and compatriots from abroad who have made exceptional contributions to the city’s development. Established in the late 20th century, this recognition celebrates individuals for their achievements in areas like economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and urban advancement. Recipients are celebrated for helping strengthen Shanghai’s international ties and foster its growth into a global metropolis.
Magnolia Honor Award
I am unable to provide a summary for “Magnolia Honor Award” as it does not appear to be a specific place or cultural site. The Magnolia Award is an honor given by the Shanghai Municipal Government to recognize the contributions of foreign expatriates, but it is not a physical location with a history to describe.
Five Centers
I am unable to provide a summary for “Five Centers” as it is not a widely recognized specific place or cultural site. The term could refer to various concepts in different contexts, such as a local business, a community project, or a concept in Chinese philosophy or medicine. For a proper summary, more specific details about its location or cultural context would be needed.
Treering Group
I am unable to provide a summary for “Treering Group” as it does not appear to be a recognized geographical place, historical landmark, or cultural heritage site. The name is most commonly associated with a former American company that specialized in creating personalized photo books and gifts, rather than a physical location with a cultural history.
Roche Group
The Roche Group is a Swiss multinational healthcare company founded in 1896 in Basel. It has grown into one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with a long history of innovation in medicines and diagnostics. The company is particularly renowned for its pioneering work in cancer treatments and in vitro diagnostics.
Shanghai Ballet
The Shanghai Ballet is a prestigious classical ballet company founded in 1979, evolving from earlier dance ensembles in the 1960s. It is internationally acclaimed for its original productions, particularly those based on Chinese literature, such as its signature piece “The White-Haired Girl.” The company is celebrated for blending refined classical ballet technique with distinctive Chinese cultural themes.
CEIBS
CEIBS (China Europe International Business School) is a leading business school established in 1994 as a joint initiative between the Chinese government and the European Union. It was created to support China’s economic reforms by providing world-class management education. Today, it has campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Zurich, and is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world.
