"You can feel so much energy in the people who create new ideas and new things. Innovation will advance at an incredible rate over the next five years in China in sectors such as AI, robotics, pharmaceuticals, the biomedical, the automotive … China's future is strong — there's no doubt about it," says Knight.

Joost Vlaanderen from the Netherlands, president of Greater China at Mondelez International, has been living in Shanghai since 2018, and spends 10 hours per week studying Chinese. He is deeply impressed by the city's growth rate and believes such development will continue.

"The thing I like most about working and living here is the speed of change and development in China — it's addictive," he says. "Shanghai is my second hometown."

Several other award recipients share similar sentiments with Vlaanderen, taking Shanghai as their second home.

"Shanghai is the land of opportunities. It's my home not only now, but forever. I have a permanent resident card, and my family is here. I will not leave — it is where I will stay and retire," says Knight with a smile, who enjoys the city's welcoming culture, food, profound civilization, and especially the "irreplaceable" Chinese people.

Alexander Rhys Gregg-Smith, from the United Kingdom and senior vice-president at Bureau Veritas Marine (China) Co, has been in Shanghai for 13 years and became a permanent resident in 2020.Dedicated to the maritime sector, he feels he "belongs" to the city and especially loves the "can-do attitude" of the people.

"Shanghai is like my home city. It's one of the best, if not the best city, in the world. It is vibrant, fantastic and brilliant — it has everything," he says.

It is this sense of feeling like home that may explain why these honored expats actively think of ways to contribute more to the community and the city.

Bozec is hoping to work with some friends to establish a mentorship to support students in better adapting into the working community. Masahiko Suga from Japan, general manager of the business design department at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co, wishes to promote China-Japan cooperation in sectors such as fintech (financial technology), green growth, and digitalization. Michel Hossler, from France and founder and chief designer at Agence Ter, aspires to fill the city with more green landscape designs.