Wuxi names AstraZeneca CEO an honorary citizen

The city of Wuxi has named Pascal Soriot, CEO of global biopharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca, as an honorary citizen.

The French-born Soriot, 60, has been serving as AstraZeneca's CEO since 2012. He has been actively promoting the company's investment in Wuxi for many years, which is an important reason why he was awarded this honor, according to local officials.

In 2001, AstraZeneca invested $134 million to establish its Wuxi supply base, which now serves to develop and supply drugs for 75 countries and regions around the world.

To date, the total investment of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals multinational in Wuxi has exceeded $300 million. It topped Wuxi's tax list in 2018, paying nearly 3 billion yuan ($425 million) in taxes.

In March, AstraZeneca joined hands with the regional government to build the Wuxi International Life Science Innovation Campus, which opened on Sept 7. It is designed to attract global innovation resources to build an international life science innovation ecosystem.

"I am greatly honored and extremely grateful to the Wuxi government for this award," said Soriot, adding that the honor was a recognition of the company's collective efforts as well as his personal contribution, giving the company additional impetus in its exciting pursuits in Wuxi.

Soriot noted that AstraZeneca is a company focused on science and technology while Wuxi is a beautiful city – but also a city that is leading in science and technology in China and in the world.