China honours Indian journalist with highest award for foreigners

Ravi Shankar, a senior Indian journalist working with a leading state-run English newspaper, was presented with 'Friendship Award', China's highest honour for foreign experts for their contribution to the country's economic and social development.

Shankar, executive editor of China Daily's overseas editions, was one of 50 foreign experts from 20 countries who received the award.

Presenting the awards, Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai said, "the foreign experts are intimate friends of the Chinese people, envoys for China's international communication and important force for China's development. The Chinese people will remember their contribution to China's development forever."

Shankar, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, has been associated with China Daily for over 11 years.

The 'Friendship Award' is an annual award issued by the Chinese government to honour "outstanding foreign experts" in China.