BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday hosted a symposium at the Great Hall of the People for recipients of the 2025 Chinese Government Friendship Award and other foreign experts working in China, extending festive greetings ahead of the Spring Festival.
Li conveyed his sincere wishes for the Lunar New Year and thanked the foreign experts for their longstanding support for China’s modernization drive. He also listened to their views and recommendations regarding the country’s development priorities and government work.
Representatives from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Uganda, Bulgaria, Belarus and Germany spoke on topics including scientific and technological innovation, agricultural modernization, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, talent development, and investment cooperation.
The premier expressed hope that foreign experts would continue serving as bridges between China and the rest of the world, helping enhance mutual trust, deepen exchanges and learning, and promote win-win cooperation.
Foreign professionals who have built their careers in China have generated innovative成果 with far-reaching spillover effects, benefiting both China and the global community, Li said.
Referring to the recommendations of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), Li described the blueprint as charting the country’s development path for the next five years. He encouraged foreign experts to seize emerging opportunities, stay engaged in China’s growth, and contribute further to global progress.
Calling foreign experts “sincere friends of the Chinese people,” Li pledged that the government would continue improving the living and working environment for international talent. He said China would enhance support through innovation-friendly policies and optimise services related to visas, social security, healthcare and children’s education.
“These efforts will ensure that talent from around the world feels secure in their work, comfortable in their daily lives, and confident in their development in China,” Li said, adding that professionals should be able to achieve career success while experiencing a sense of belonging.
