Francis Gurry, a decision-making consultation expert of the Shanghai Municipal Government, recently received the Chinese Government Friendship Award.

The Chinese Government Friendship Award is the highest honor given by the Chinese government to foreign experts who have contributed to China's modernization and international exchange.

Gurry is the former director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and a renowned leader in advancing global IP development. During his time at WIPO, Gurry led efforts to enhance the role and influence of IP in the United Nations and around the world.

Gurry has always shown his support for Shanghai's IP cause. Due to his contributions, WIPO and the Shanghai Municipal Government signed several memoranda of understanding to launch projects such as WIPO's Master's Degree Program in IP Law in Shanghai.

Gurry was appointed the decision-making consultation expert of the Shanghai Municipal Government in March 2021. He is also the honorary dean of the Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property and a honorary professor of several universities in Shanghai.