Norman Foster was honoured today with a China Friendship Award, presented by China’s Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The only architect among the 50 recipients of the prize, Lord Foster was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and to China, following the opening of Beijing Capital International Airport’s new Terminal 3 in February.

Lord Foster said:
“I am deeply honoured to receive this most prestigious award. We have been privileged to work in China for over ten years now, from the Jiushi Headquarters in Shanghai to the new Beijing Airport – the largest and most advanced in the world. I was very proud to see the new terminal fulfil its role as a gateway to Beijing in good time for the Olympics. I would like to pay tribute to all the talented individuals and collaborating teams that have, with the BCIA, worked together to realise this project.”