Policy & RegulationAnalysis
China Honors 50 Foreign Experts With Government Friendship Award in Beijing
State Councilor Shen Yiqin pledges stable support for overseas talent as Beijing opens its 15th Five-Year Plan period.
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The Brief
China conferred the 2026 Chinese Government Friendship Award on 50 foreign specialists during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 30. State Councilor Shen Yiqin presented the awards and addressed the gathering, commending overseas experts for their contributions to China's economic modernization and cross-border cooperation. Shen stated that Beijing will provide solid institutional guarantees for foreign professionals seeking long-term development in the country as it enters its 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Why it matters
The Friendship Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Chinese government upon foreign specialists working in the country. Beijing's public recommitment to safeguarding conditions for overseas talent signals an ongoing effort to maintain access to international scientific, technological, and industrial expertise amid geopolitical competition and efforts to accelerate domestic innovation.
China context
The ceremony coincides with the eve of China's National Day, the kickoff year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), and the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. As Chinese policymakers pivot toward high-quality development and self-reliance in strategic technologies, national agencies like the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security have sought to refine talent attraction frameworks, research support, and residency policies for global researchers.
Editor's View
EDITOR'S VIEW — Analysis and inference, not factual reporting.
While official remarks emphasized international partnership and pledged enduring institutional backing for foreign specialists, the real test lies in implementation. Global researchers in China increasingly navigate complex regulatory environments, including strict data compliance rules, cross-border research scrutiny, and broader geopolitical tensions. Ensuring that administrative pledges translate into tangible working autonomy and administrative ease will be critical if China aims to retain top-tier foreign intellect across strategic industries.
What to watch
- Whether the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security publishes a detailed breakdown of the 50 awardees and their respective scientific or industrial sectors.
- Any forthcoming regulatory updates concerning long-term residency, research grant access, or tax provisions tailored to overseas professionals.
- The participation and visibility of foreign expert delegations in subsequent state-level National Day diplomatic receptions.
Key Takeaways
- 1Fifty foreign specialists received the 2026 Chinese Government Friendship Award at the Great Hall of the People on September 30.
- 2State Councilor Shen Yiqin delivered a keynote address promising solid guarantees for overseas experts pursuing long-term careers in China.
- 3Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping announced the formal conferment decision during the ceremony.
- 4The event was framed around the launch of China's 15th Five-Year Plan and the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China.
China presented the 2026 Chinese Government Friendship Award to 50 foreign specialists on September 30 in a formal ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, according to state media Xinhua and the People's Daily.
State Councilor Shen Yiqin attended the event, presenting awards to the recipients and delivering a keynote address. Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping formally read the conferment decision, officially granting the honor to 50 foreign experts recognized for their contributions to the country's development.
Addressing the attendees, Shen extended congratulations to the awardees and expressed gratitude to foreign specialists and their families on behalf of the Chinese government. She noted that the current year marks both the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the inaugural year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. Shen stated that under the leadership of the party central leadership with Xi Jinping at its core, China's economy is shifting toward innovative and high-quality growth, providing stability to the international landscape.
Shen emphasized that overseas professionals play an essential role in supporting domestic economic and social progress while facilitating exchanges between China and the international community. Pointing to the 15th Five-Year Plan as a decisive period for advancing socialist modernization, she encouraged foreign specialists to take part in technological and industrial innovation alongside Chinese counterparts.
In her address, Shen pledged that China would provide firm institutional guarantees to ensure foreign talent can pursue stable, long-term careers and development within the country. She urged experts to collaborate on addressing global challenges and advancing scientific research within the framework of Beijing's broader international vision.
Sources
- 中国政府友谊奖颁奖仪式在北京举行 谌贻琴出席并讲话 — State Council of China · 9/30/2026
- 中国政府友谊奖颁奖仪式在北京举行 谌贻琴出席并讲话--时政--人民网 — People's Daily · 9/30/2026