On September 29, 2025, Mr. Maximilian Foerst, Member of the Executive Board of Zeiss Group and President & CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, was awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Honorary Prize for 2025. This recognition honors his outstanding contributions to Shanghai's economic development, technological innovation, and international exchange and cooperation during his tenure as President and CEO of Zeiss Greater China from 2009 to 2025.

The institutional innovations and policy support within the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone have provided fertile ground for Zeiss to establish its presence in China and serve the global market. Zeiss will continue to support the construction of Shanghai's science and technology innovation center through local smart manufacturing innovations, contributing to the high-quality development of China's economy.

Shanghai Magnolia Honorary Prize

The "Shanghai Magnolia Friendship Award" (including "Honorary Citizen" and "Honorary Prize") and the "Shanghai Magnolia Memorial Award," named after Shanghai's city flower, the magnolia, represent the city's most important foreign recognition programs. Since its establishment in 1993, the Magnolia Honorary Prize has been awarded for 32 years, consistently promoting high-level openness and international cooperation by recognizing expatriates for their exceptional contributions in areas such as economic development, technological innovation, and social welfare. Having first received the "Magnolia Memorial Award" in 2017, Mr. Foerst's elevation to the higher-level "Magnolia Honorary Prize" not only acknowledges his deep commitment to the Chinese market and exceptional achievements during his work in China but also affirms Zeiss' alignment with Shanghai's urban development.