Leaders of China's top-tier companies are the shock troops in today's economic development.

A list of the 2017 Economic Person of the Year awards was revealed in Beijing on Jan 28, with 10 entrepreneurs from China's industrial giants listed, including Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, Zhou Hongyi, founder and CEO of 360 Group and Chen Dongsheng, founder and chairman of Taikang Group.

Launched by Sina Finance, the People's Daily and Wu Xiaobo Channel, the selection looks for leaders in the commercial trends and industrial innovation of the great transitional era based on five major aspects -- innovation, courageous thinking, forward-looking vision, growth and continuity.

Ten entrepreneurs from China's industrial giants are awarded at the ceremony of The Top 10 Economic Persons of 2017 in Beijing on Jan 28. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Xiaomi has been going through a changeover after two years' learning, adjusting and consolidating its foundation,” said Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer based in Zhongguancun Science Park.

Lei added, "Especially in recent months, Xiaomi has made great efforts in globalization and has also made its mark in the new retail and design fields. It won the Good Design Award in 2017 and became a grand slam champion in the world's four major design awards for the first time."

Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, speaks at the awards ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Another Zhongguancun AI company, iFlytek, also shined with its president Liu Qingfeng's being awarded. Liu declared that AI is becoming a brand new driver of the era that has the most extensive coverage. He said, "I believe that only by sticking to correct values and business ethics can Chinese enterprises build a world with artificial intelligence in China."