For the first time, a foreigner has made the short list of 20 candidates to become one of the city's "Top-10 Youth Elites," the Shanghai Youth Federation announced Thursday.

Ian Strickland, 37, managing director of B&Q (Shanghai), is the only non-Chinese candidate to make the short list this year.

Strickland, who has worked for B&Q for 18 years, has raised more than 90,000 yuan (US$10,843) to aid needy employees, set up social welfare institutes and organized donations for disaster-stricken areas.

"We are surely very excited about the nomination, and a little bit surprised as well," said Yuan Jing, Strickland's secretary.

"Top-10 Youth Elites" is a title awarded to local residents aged 18 to 40 who have been working in the city for at least one year. The federation, which organizes the selection, lifted nationality requirements this year for the first time since the annual election began in 1994.

"Since foreigners also play a significant role in the city's development, they certainly shouldn't be neglected in such a meaningful election," said Xi Xiaohua, a federation official.

Half of the 20 shortlisted candidates this year are prominent entrepreneurs such as Shao Yibo, CEO of eachnet.com, China's largest e-business Website, and Wang Junyao, president of Junyao Dairy Group.

Professionals in other industries -- such as famous Kun Opera actor Zhang Jun, the Asian record holder in the 110-meter hurdles Liu Xiang and Feng Ai, a Fudan University graduate student who volunteered to aid the country's poverty-stricken areas -- also made the short list. Locals can vote for the candidate of their choice on the federation's Website (www.youthsh.com) starting today. Election results will be announced next month.

(Shanghai Daily April 30, 2004)