On the afternoon of September 28, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met with representatives of foreign experts receiving the Chinese Government Friendship Award for Outstanding Foreign Experts at the Great Hall of the People.

Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.

Li Qiang thanked foreign experts for their outstanding contribution to promoting China's scientific and technological progress, personnel training, and modernization. He said that the world today, fraught with conflicts and disputes, is void of friendship and cooperation, and peace and development. Li Qiang said that foreign experts have come to China from afar to promote exchanges, strengthen cooperation, and spread friendship with their concrete actions, and this is particularly valuable in a world full of changes and chaos.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is now advancing Chinese modernization across the board with high-quality development, and leading the overall population of more than 1.4 billion into modernization, which is an unprecedented great cause and will release massive development opportunities and provide a broad stage for business and entrepreneurship. An open China welcomes high-caliber personnel from around the world. Li Qiang expressed his expectations that foreign experts will continue to be deeply engaged in China's development. The Chinese government will continue to optimize relevant policies, take concrete actions to safeguard foreign experts' legitimate rights and interests, and strive to create a better working and living environment for them.

The foreign experts receiving the award thanked Li Qiang for the meeting and the Chinese government for the presentation of the award and said that they will continue to contribute their strength to Chinese modernization and promote exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries.

State Councilors Wu Zhenglong and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting.