Noted overseas Chinese receives state medal

LISBON—Portugal’s President Anibal Cavaco Silva has endorsed a citation to issue a state medal to Zhou Hongze, former president of the Overseas Chinese Association in Portugal, honoring his positive contribution to the progress of the China-Portugal friendly exchanges.
The 77-year-old Zhou, who has resided in Portugal for 50 years, received the medal Friday from the president’s special representative and became the first Chinese to receive such an honor in Portugal.
More than 100 representatives from Portugal’s political, commercial and business circles attended the awarding ceremony held in Portugal’s north region.—Xinhua