When Shanghai, China Mayor Ying Yong convened with a group of notable foreigners recently, it wasn’t to discuss trade talks or international business deals. It was to bestow the city’s highest award for economic, social, and cultural contributions by foreigners to this city of 24 million people on China’s eastern coast.

eBay’s own John Yi-Chang Lin, CEO of Shanghai eBay Network Information Services, was one of 10 people to receive the city’s prestigious Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award this year, according to Shine, a digital publication of the Shanghai Daily English-language newspaper. The city also awarded 40 Magnolia Silver awards and one Honorary Citizenship Award.

Award Named after City Flower of Shanghai

Shanghai’s Magnolia Gold and Magnolia Silver awards are named after the flower of the White Yulan Magnolia tree, the official City Flower of Shanghai. The small tree is native to China, where it originated on the banks of the Yangtze River, and is now cultivated around the world. In China, the White Yulan Magnolia flower is said to represent repaying gratitude and obligation.

A Tradition of Honoring Cultural Exchange

Shanghai’s tradition of honoring foreigners’ contributions to the city began in 1989, just three years after the White Magnolia was named the City Flower of Shanghai. Since then, the city has awarded more than 1,500 Magnolia Gold and Magnolia Silver awards to expats for their contributions, including some honorary citizenships.