1. What is the Great Wall Friendship Award?

Why is the award created?

Answer: The Great Wall Friendship Award is the top honorary award bestowed by Beijing Municipality on foreign experts in the city and an honorary title set up by the municipal government to recognize and reward foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the construction and development of the city. The award aims to further facilitate exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries in the fields of economy, science and technology, culture, education, sports, and health.

2. Who can be considered for the Great Wall Friendship Award and how often is it given out?

Answer: Foreign experts who hold a Foreign Expert Certificate and work in key national and municipal construction projects, government agencies, departments of economic management, industrial and commercial enterprises (including enterprises receiving foreign investment), international talent exchange agencies, as well as institutions in agriculture, education, scientific research, medicine and health, finance, culture, press and publication, sports and other sectors in Beijing are eligible candidates to be considered.

The award is given out once every three years.

3. What are the principles and procedures for selection of the Great Wall Friendship Award?

Answer: Selection is based on the principles of practicality and strictness, careful assessment of conditions, and qualification assurance. 

The Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality has carried out the selection once every three years since 2013. It issues a notice for recommendations to relevant institutions each session. Relevant central institutions, the people's governments of all districts, municipal commissions, offices, bureaus (municipal enterprises), and the administrative committee of BDA are responsible for organizing the recommendation and application for the Great Wall Friendship Award for foreign experts employed within their jurisdictions and systems.

Award applicants are asked to fill out the "Application Form for the Great Wall Friendship Award of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality" in accordance with the requirements and submit three copies of the application form and relevant materials to the Foreign Affairs Office. The office conducts a preliminary review according to the selection criteria and then submits them to the selection panel for comprehensive evaluation.

After receiving the application materials, the Foreign Affairs Office may call together relevant personnel to verify the application contents as appropriate.

The Foreign Affairs Office will join hands with institutions including Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau to review the applications, after which the list of candidates will be submitted to municipal leaders for approval and the winners' employers are notified in written forms. 

4. What is the exact form of the Great Wall Friendship Award?

Answer: The award grants primarily spiritual rewards, which are supplemented by material rewards.

The People's Government of Beijing Municipality holds an award ceremony for the foreign experts who have won the Great Wall Friendship Award of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and presents them with honorary certificates issued by the government.

(All information in this document is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only. In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.)

(Source: Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality)