Mr. Mok Kwong Weng, Chairman of Air Liquide China, honored with Shanghai Magnolia Award

On September 4, 2014, Mr. Mok Kwong Weng, Air Liquide Group Executive Committee Member, CEO of North East Asia and South East Asia, and Chairman of Air Liquide China was honored by the Shanghai Municipal Government with the prestigious Magnolia Award. Established in 1989, this award is presented annually to those expatriates in Shanghai with outstanding contributions to the city’s economic, social and cultural development.

Originally hailing from Singapore, Mr. Mok oversaw the founding of Air Liquide (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in 1990, as president of that entity. In 2001, after holding several positions outside of China, Mr. Mok returned to China as Chairman of Air Liquide China as well as joined the Group's Executive Committee. During his time in China, Mr. Mok has overseen the development of Air Liquide China through a period of tremendous growth, expanding from 10 plants nationwide to 70 today. Currently, Air Liquide China operates in 30 cities across China, employing more than 4000 employees. Overall, China is now among the top 5 global markets for the Group. Under his leadership, the company also won the approval of the Shanghai government to build a new Research and Technology Center in Shanghai, a facility that will eventually house 200 researchers and technical experts.

Mr. Mok has also led the expansion of China-based social responsibility projects including "Air Liquide Care" Program, which has established Air Liquide computer classrooms in the provinces of Anhui, Guangdong and Heilongjiang.

Commenting on the award, Mr. Mok said: "I feel extremely honored to have been able to watch the development of Air Liquide in China, from the very beginning to its current impressive size and scope. I feel like a proud parent watching a child grow up. Given the rapid and very positive maturation of Air Liquide across China, I am very confident of our continued success and bright future here."