Stories of the China Reform Friendship Medal recipients

7. Juan Antonio Samaranch

Juan Antonio Samaranch. [File Photo:VCG]

Juan Antonio Samaranch is the former President of the International Olympic Committee. He is widely recognized in China as helping promote China as a global leader in the Olympic movement.

In 1979, then IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch advocated for Chinese recognition as an Olympic nation. In 1984, Samaranch was given the honor of awarding China's first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Games in Los Angeles. Just before his departure as IOC chief in 2001, Samaranch had the honor of announcing China as the winner of the 2008 Olympic Bid.

Samaranch died in April, 2010. Before his death, he noted in an article, "I have learnt love and friendship through 29 times visiting China in the past 30 years."

8. Stephen Perry

Stephen Perry, the president of 48 Group Club, delivers speech at the World Trade Promotion Summit in Beijing, May 15, 2012. [Photo: VCG]

Stephen Perry is the president of the 48 Group Club based in the UK, and also the executive director of London Export Cooperation. The 48 Group Club is a UK-based trade promotion organization. It's founding dates back to Perry's father, Jack Perry, who was known as the "Icebreaker" for his original trip to Beijing in 1953 to establish UK business ties with China.

Following the lead of his late-father, Stephen Perry has become the President of the 48 Group Club, having visited China more than 200 times, while witnessing the changes that reform and opening up have brought to China. Perry says he believes that "the reform and opening up" policy has paved way for China's progress.