Australian safety expert receives China Friendship award

Australian safety expert John Ninness has today been conferred the China Friendship award by the Chinese State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Liaoning Provincial government, Shenyang, north-east China.

The award is given to a select number of foreigners for their contributions to the economic, social and technological development of Liaoning Province. Approximately 20-30 foreigners are expected to receive the award each year.

Ninness said he was most honoured to receive the award: “It is a privilege to be able to work in China as an Australian foreign expert and seek to improve work safety there. The Chinese people are very friendly and hospitable and are keen to work with Australia to build economic and social relationships.”

Liaoning used to be a major industrial base in what is often referred to as China’s ‘rust belt’ because of the prevalence of numerous large, older industrial plants, many of which were built with Russian assistance in the 1950s. Under the Chinese government's initiative for revitalisation of the north-east region, Liaoning has been nurturing a base of new high-tech industries that aspire to become competitive at the global level across a number of key sectors.

Ninness, a Chartered Professional Member of the Safety Institute of Australia and a member of the Australia China Business Council, is believed to be the first Australian living outside China to receive the prestigious award. His practice, Ninness Consulting, is a professional safety, human resources and business development consultancy company that provides services to Australian and international companies to improve statutory compliance and profitability.