The 2019 presentation ceremony for the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award is held on Sept 29. [Photo by Sun Guogen/sh.chinanews.com]

Twelve foreign individuals from eight countries were given the 2019 Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award on Sept 29 in recognition of their significant contributions to the city.

The winners include managers of companies involved in trade, finance, shipping, and services, as well as experts and scholars in fields such as culture, medicine, science, and technology.

The award, established in 1989 by the Shanghai Municipal Government, has had over 1,500 recipients to date. It is meant to honor outstanding foreigners who have helped strengthen the city's society, economy, and international exchanges.

At the presentation ceremony, Ying Yong, mayor of Shanghai, thanked the winners as he handed them their award certificates. He spoke highly of their hard work and important contributions.

Among the winners, Rose Oliver MBE was honored for bolstering ties between China and the United Kingdom. She currently works as the director of the British Cultural Exchange Center of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and has hosted several exchange programs.

As Shanghai aims to develop into an economic, financial, trade, shipping, and scientific and technological innovation center with global influence, it requires new and talented personnel. It is hoped that honors such as the aforementioned award will encourage and attract more international talent to work in the city.

Rose Oliver MBE (L) receives an award certificate from Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong. [Photo/usst.edu.cn]