20 Years of the Camellia Awards 宁波市人民政府设立“茶花奖”20周年记
Written & Photos by (作者, 图片来源):?Ningbo Foreign Affairs Office 宁波市外办
This past June, the 20th Camellia Awards was hosted by the Ningbo Municipal Government’s Foreign Affairs Office in the Sheraton Hotel. 10 foreign experts received the award, with 12 more receiving memorial awards. The Camellia is the city flower of Ningbo due to its green leaves and big flower. As a symbol of the city, it was decided 20 years ago that it also be the symbol of thanks for foreign experts who have contributed to the economic and social development of the city, promoting communication and cooperation between China and the world in economics, science, culture and education, the Camellia Awards. The award is the highest honor from the city government that can be bestowed upon a foreign expert. Until now, over 136 experts working in Ningbo have received the award, with memorial awards given to 265.
It’s been 20 years, and thanks to the efforts of those who have received the Camellia Award, it has allowed more foreigners to fall in love with Ningbo and settle here.
“More and more foreigners have chosen to settle in Ningbo,” a representative of the Foreign Affairs Office tells me. As urbanization and internationalization increase, the amount of expatriates in Ningbo has increased as well. The foreigners who come to Ningbo have experience in diverse fields, from business and trade to teaching, graphic design and other fields. Many students come to the city as well and end up staying here.
The Camellia Awards serves as a platform for foreign and Chinese exchange represented by the Foreign Affairs Office. In order to integrate the Ningbo community, there have been many activities organized by the FAO. Every March 8th, the city hosts events for foreign ladies, like visits to the Hangzhou Bay New Zone, Xiangshan, and other places.?This year, foreigners were invited on a special tour of Ningbo Cultural Plaza. There, they were able to learn about all the perks of the plaza and to experience Chinese calligraphy, Beijing Opera, traditional music and a tea ceremony at the NBCP’s Arts & Culture Learning Center. The events and the awards are geared towards integrating expats into city life and helping them know Ningbo and feel at home here.
What kinds of practical benefits do the Camellia Awards offer? Those who hold the award can extend their visa from 2 years to 3 years. They are also invited as VIP guests to the city’s major events. For example, winners are invited to the National Day Cocktail Party and can rub shoulders with top city leaders.
At this year’s awards, city leaders stressed the fact that it is a key year for economic reform and changes. Ningbo is prioritizing it’s port economic circle along with other means of internationalization and modernization.?During the awards ceremony, Vice Mayor Wang Jianhou had these words:“We are going forward with an open attitude, seeking to attract further foreign talent. At the same time, we are looking to help foreign experts interact with locals more, to deepen cultural understanding, promote friendly communication, international cooperation and organization.
” 6月26日，一年一度的市政府“茶花奖”颁奖典礼在宁波东港喜来登酒店举行。10名外国专家荣获“茶花奖”，12名外国专家荣获“茶花纪念奖”。
茶花，因其叶色翠绿，花大艳丽成为宁波的市花。以市花命名的茶花奖自然也有着其深远的意义。20年前，为表彰对我市经济建设和社会发展做出突出贡献的外国专家，强化激励机制，促进中外经济、科技、文化、教育等方面的交流与合作。宁波市政府在全省率先为对宁波经济建设和社会发展做出突出贡献的外籍人士设立“茶花奖”。并且，“茶花奖”也是我市政府对在甬外国专家的最高褒奖。截至目前，我市共向136位在甬工作的外国专家授予“茶花奖（茶花荣誉奖）”，向265位外国专家授予茶花纪念奖。
20年，一路走来的“茶花奖”，让越来越多的宁波外籍人士爱上宁波，扎根宁波。
“现在来宁波定居的外籍人士国籍数量越来越多。”市外办负责人介绍，随着宁波城市化、国际化程度的提升，常驻宁波的外籍人士数量明显增多，目前有近7000人在我市工作、学习和生活。这些外籍人士的构成也主要分为两类，一是经济类，主要在三资企业和外商驻甬机构；二是文教类，活跃在各类院校。与此同时，以“茶花奖”为平台，市外办每年会举办特色活动，增强外籍人士的向心力和凝聚力。比如每年妇女节，我市组织外籍女士参加考察联谊活动，例如参观考察杭州湾新区、象山大目湾项目等。去年组织了外籍人士试乘体验宁波轨道交通1号线一期、今年举行了宁波文化广场体验日活动，邀请外籍人士参观文化广场并观摩中国书画创作、越剧、古筝、茶道、旗袍秀等中国传统文化表演。“这些规模不一的特色活动让更多来自不同国家的外籍人士把宁波真正当成自己的‘第二故乡’。”这位负责人介绍。
“茶花奖”究竟能为宁波外籍人士带来哪些实实在在好处？首先获奖外国专家可以将来华签证期限延长至2年到3年，其次，可以优先参加市里举办的重要节庆活动。例如每年9月底市政府举行的国庆招待酒会，获奖外国专家都会受邀与市领导共同出席。
今年是宁波全面深化改革的关键之年，宁波将以建设港口经济圈为重点，不断深化改革开放，着力提升城市国际化和现代化水平。
“我们将以更加开放包容的姿态，完善引进国外人才工作机制，同时也希望越来越多的外国专家能成为民间大使，让各国人民加深对宁波的了解，推动与宁波的友好交流，为促进宁波的国际交流合作和城市国际化建设发挥更大作用。”在今年的“茶花奖”颁奖典礼上，副市长王剑侯如是说。