Luc Poppe, an expert from Belgium, together with 11 other experts from the United States, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Australia and Japan, were granted "Great Wall Friendship Awards" in Beijing Friday night.
Poppe, who works with a telecommunications equipment company here, said he was glad to receive the honor, and that he is happy to live and work in Beijing.
The awards were given to experts in the areas of telecommunications, agriculture, textiles and medicine.
Beijing Mayor Liu Qi issued the awards to the 12 foreign experts. Beijing Vice-Mayor Zhang Mao said Beijing welcomes more foreign experts to come and assist the city's reform and economic construction.
Zhang Mao said he sincerely hopes foreign experts in Beijing to support the city's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Beijing first issued the annual award last year.
(Xinhua 12/08/2000)
