On October 5, the EastWest Institute (EWI) honored Tung Chee Hwa and Maurice R. Greenberg with the John Edwin Mroz Global Statesman Award for their proven leadership and long standing commitment to help forge U.S.-China dialogue and strengthen bilateral relations. 

The award was presented to both recipients by Ross Perot, Jr., chairman of the EastWest Institute, and Ambassador Cameron Munter, the organization’s president and CEO. Guests representing global businesses and government also enjoyed a discussion on world affairs led by Ambassador Munter with Stephen J. Hadley, former United States National Security Advisor. Jason Kelly, New York Bureau Chief of Bloomberg News, served as Master of Ceremonies. The presentation of the award took place at the Pierre Hotel, New York City. 

“For over four decades, Mr. Tung and Mr. Greenberg have made exceptional contributions towards strengthening understanding and collaboration between the U.S. and China concerning commercial and economic development, education and culture,” said Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman of the EastWest Institute. “Their individual and combined efforts working with policymakers, the business community and academia of both countries has left an indelible mark on Sino-American relations.”     

Tung and Greenberg have both been long engaged with the EastWest Institute, making an indelible impact on the institute’s China, East Asia and United States Program—in particular, proving highly instrumental on the Sanya Initiative, which regularly brings together retired U.S. and Chinese senior generals and admirals, in order to build stronger military-to-military ties, and to better understand mutual issues and concerns to help prevent potential conflict.

Established in memory of the institute’s late founder, John Edwin Mroz, this award recognizes individuals who share John’s vision of a peaceful world, who embody his values as a trust-builder and who work passionately to achieve this goal. Past recipients include: George H.W. Bush, former President of the United States; Helmut Kohl, former chancellor of Germany; Tony Blair, former prime minister of the United Kingdom; Dr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. secretary of state; and Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland.