Winners of Shanghai Magnolia Awards have been sending messages of hope to Shanghai since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. They are also looking forward to meeting their friends in Wuhan and Shanghai after the virus is defeated as quickly as possible.

The Magnolia Award, named after the city flower, was set up in 1989 to recognize expats’ contributions to Shanghai.

“Throughout history, China and the Chinese people have faced many challenges, and have overcome them. With your strong leadership, we are confident that you shall prevail. Jiayou Shanghai! Jiayou China,” said Majdi Abulaban, an honorary citizen of Shanghai. In 1995, he was dispatched to work in Shanghai as one of the earliest foreign experts at Delphi. In 2014 when he was Vice President of Delphi and President of Delphi Asia Pacific, he was awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Award. Now he is President and CEO of Superior Industries.

While he cannot bear to see Shanghai seem like an empty city, the president and founder of DPARK, Antonio Duarte, understood that the measures were necessary to protect people and the situation was temporary and believes that everything will return to normal soon. “I look forward to coming to China as soon as possible, to see my friends in Wuhan and Shanghai.”

Rosalind Stephanie Oliver, an English teacher at Shanghai University, said in a video, “Keep positive, keep healthy, and keep doing important things: washing your hands, being careful about your health and others. Let’s work together, everyone will be fine!”

Owen Messick, president of doTERRA (China), has been living in Shanghai for 13 years, witnessing the power that comes from the unified action of the Chinese people. “I’ve been so touched to see so many examples of sacrifice and dedication on the frontline, medical workers in this case,” he said in a touching video. “There is always light at the end of the tunnel. We will win!”

“The year of 2020 won’t be an ordinary year, but we are confident in China and Shanghai,” said Yasuteru Hirai, senior vice president of Mitsubishi Corporation and Regional CEO for China. “Let us go forward together, in the fragrance of the magnolia flower, with the company of love.”

Colin Melville Kennedy Currie, managing director of Adidas Asia-Pacific, is a winner of the 2019 Shanghai Magnolia Silver Awards. While closely monitoring the outbreak and development of the virus, he is confident that the Chinese people will overcome the challenges that are brought by this virus and that they will deal with it in the unity and spirit of all good citizens of China. “We will also continue to invest in Shanghai and in China, and together we’ll try to improve the lifestyle and health of Chinese consumers through the power of sport,” he added.

Though of French nationality, Zhenzhen Lan, vice president of L’Oréal China and a winner of the 2019 Shanghai Magnolia Silver Awards, was born and brought up in China. With deep feelings for his motherland, he firmly believes that “China will win. At this special moment, we are working together to overcome the difficulties. We are confident and determined to overcome the epidemic and embrace a bright future.”