Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded the China reform friendship medals to 10 foreigners on Tuesday in appreciation of the support and help from international community to China during its reform and opening-up.

President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, before awarding a China Reform Friendship Medal to the German economist. (Photos: Xinhua)

China held a grand gathering on Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up at the Great Hall of the People.

Although working in different fields, the 10 foreign friends had all brought advanced technologies or ideas to China's reform and opening-up, contributing outstanding wisdom and effort to the country's economic and social development.

Alain Merieux: pioneer in helping Chinese medical cooperation with world

Werner Gerich: first foreign factory director in China's reform, opening up

Klaus Schwab: activist in helping China to international economic exchange and cooperation

Konosuke Matsushita: early world-known entrepreneur to participate in Chinese market

Masayoshi Ohira: politician to promote normalization of ties between Japan and China

Lee Kuan Yew: politician to promote Singapore's participation in Chinese reform, opening-up

Juan Antonio Samaranch: bringing Chinese Olympics to world

Stephen Perry: torch bearer of Sino-British friendship

Maurice R. Greenberg: entrepreneur to promote Sino-US friendship

Robert Kuhn: instructor of modern China to the world