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"The thing that has made the most difference to my life has been my work in China," said Professor Patrick A. Randolph Jr. on his acceptance of the 2005 Great Wall Friendship Award.

On a snowy evening on January 12, at a ceremony on the 18th floor of Beijing Hotel, the Beijing Municipal Government recognised the contribution of Beijing's foreign experts to the city's progress and development. A total of 15 foreigners were presented with awards, including BTM's very own Charles J. Dukes, a native Texan and a resident of Beijing for three and a half years. Among the other winners were the Greek senior executive of Beijing Olympic Broadcasting (BOB), Yiannis Exarchos, the British general manager of the Kerry Centre Hotel, Darren Gearing, the president of Nokia (China) Investment Company Limited, David Ho, the vice-president for North East Asia Strategy of DaimlerChrysler, Bernd Ruefle, visiting professors David N. Tool and Laurence Kramer, and American elementary school teacher Suzzie Patterson.

The annual award was launched in 1999 and has so far honoured 96 foreigners who have made contributions to Beijing's socio-economic development. All are specialists in their fields.

Vice-Mayor Zhang Mao spoke at the awards ceremony and congratulated all the winners.

"The city's development and hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games needs the support of the international community. We sincerely welcome more international experts and friends to come and join Beijing's development in all fields."