BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- One hundred overseas Chinese who run businesses in China won prizes for their outstanding work at a ceremony here Thursday.

   At the first awarding ceremony of "outstanding entrepreneurship" for overseas Chinese professionals, 100 overseas Chinese averaging 45 years old were rewarded. Most of them have run businesses in China for over six years and 73 percent have doctorate.

   State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said at the ceremony that China's development presents unprecedented opportunities for overseas Chinese, who have played an irreplaceable role in promoting economic and scientific exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries.

   He urged the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council to introduce more overseas high-level talents and offer quality service for overseas Chinese who return to do businesses here.

   "Outstanding entrepreneurship" award is designed by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office to honor overseas Chinese professionals who have made outstanding contributions to China's socioeconomic development. Enditem