Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was granted the “Best Friend of American Worker” award by America's International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) on Friday in appreciation of China’s support on economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

ILA Vice President William McNamara said that his association was honored to give the award to Premier Wen to thank China for its great contributions to creating more job opportunities for American workers.

Zhang Yesui, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, received the award on behalf of Premier Wen on Friday.

After the China Ocean Shipping Group Company (COSCO) and Massachusetts Port Authority of the United States signed a Terminal Services Agreement in 2002, Premier Wen visited Massachusetts State and met with the then Governor Mitt Romney in 2003. Wen hoped that Boston and Massachusetts as a whole will play a more vital role in increasing contacts, friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and American people.

Romney and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino agreed that trade and economic contacts between Massachusetts and China have brought much tangible benefits to the local people, including job opportunities brought to Boston's Conley Container Terminal by China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO).

Zhang said the well-developing partnership of COSCO, China’s largest global shipping company, and the Massachusetts Port Authority of US, once again proved that the China-US economic and trade relations are win-win and mutually beneficial to people of both countries.

“This award represents a unique recognition of Premier Wen Jiabao’s strong support to the COSCO-Massport partnership,” said Zhang.

“I think today’s event is a good example of how the United States and China are cooperating in a full range of areas, and how the Chinese business and trade can contribute to American jobs and community in six states of the New England region of the United States, particularly in the city of Boston,” Zhang added.