China Hails Its Innovators and ‘Sea Turtles’
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China celebrated the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up by honoring the country’s most famous entrepreneurs, academics, and athletes -- though some received more praise than others.
As they sat on stage in Beijing, smiling and waving, a short description of each pioneer’s contribution was read out before his or her name. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. co-founder Jack Ma was lauded as a “digital economy innovator” while Baidu Inc. founder Robin Li was described as a “representative of the sea turtles” -- China’s term for its top talent who trained in the West and returned to contribute to the mainland economy.