In Tuesday's grand gathering celebrating the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, 10 foreigners were conferred Reform Friendship Medal for their contributions and support for this historic campaign.

Granting foreigners honorary title is an important part of China's liaison work, said Tang Lei, deputy director of Center for International China Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Since the 1950s, the Chinese government has started to award foreign experts who have contributed to China's economic and political progress.

With the Law on National Medals and National Honorary Titles coming into force on January 1, 2016, China's honorary system has been officially established. According to the law, "Friendship Medal" shall be bestowed on foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's socialist modernization, the promotion of exchange between China and foreign countries and the protection of world peace. It is one of the highest state honors for foreigners, according to media reports.

By granting foreign friends Reform Friendship Medals at the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, China is welcoming more foreigners to participate in this historic event and encouraging more cultural exchanges with foreign countries. The medals are a signal that China's door will always open to the outside world, Zhang Shuhua, director of the Institute of Information Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told CGTN.

It's worth noting that the 10 medal recipients are from different walks of life, from politicians, entrepreneurs, activists to scholars. In the past 40 years, China has achieved comprehensive progress in politics, economics, culture, sports and so forth, and seen the enhanced status and improved image in the global arena. The 10 recipients have contributed tremendously to the progress.

For instance, Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Matsushita Electric and "the God of management" in Japan, joined China's modernization wave at the invitation of then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. Apart from establishing and investing in picture tube factory in Beijing, he persuaded other Japanese electronics tycoons to follow his suit. China is now a global manufacturing hub, which is a result of Matsushita's efforts.

Singapore's late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew is another big name who has been deeply involved in China reform and opening-up. Deng once said that China should learn from Singapore's modernization experience.

Awarding foreigners Reform Friendship Medal, China is expressing gratitude for their long-term support for China's reform and opening-up, and praising their humanitarian and internationalism endeavors, Tang said.

Zhang echoed Tang, adding that Reform Friendship Medal has symbolic meanings. After four decades of reform and opening-up, China has been persistent on and will stick to its open-door policy. The medals are conveying a message to the international community that foreigners' participation is indispensable in China's reform and opening-up, Tang said. China will never forget those who have contributed to this grand cause, Tang emphasized.