Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, received the "Peace through Commerce Medal" from the US Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, Francisco Sanchez, on April 1.

More than 500 local diplomats, dignitaries and business leaders attended the ceremony.

Seyedin has spent nearly 10 years promoting trade ties between China and the United States through his volunteer work at AmCham South China. During that time, he has grown the business association's membership in Guangdong, Fujian and Hainan provinces as well as Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region from around 200 to more than 2,000.

He also has organized multiple internationally attended forums and exhibitions, represented US business interests in regular meetings with Chinese government officials, and led hundreds of investment missions across the country.

The Peace through Commerce Medal, commissioned in 1790 by Thomas Jefferson during his tenure as the first US Secretary of State, has been awarded to fewer than 20 individuals in its 223-year history.

It is the highest civilian honor awarded by the US Department of Commerce.

The medal was presented to the Marquis de la Luzerne and the Count de Moustier, both of whom had served as Ministers from France to the United States.

After two centuries of dormancy, the award was reintroduced by Undersecretary Sanchez and today honors individuals, groups or organizations, either domestic or abroad, who help to promote peace and commerce and whose actions have significantly promoted and developed US export initiatives, encouraged innovative approaches and improved overall US trade relations.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/08/2013 page14)