TWENTY-FIVE people have won "the most influential Shenzhen-based entrepreneurs" awards, organizers of the awards announced Friday at a ceremony held at Shenzhen TV.

The term "shenshang" (an abbreviation for Shenzhen "shangren," or Shenzhen-based businessmen) was officially used for the first time at the event jointly sponsored by the Shenzhen General Chamber of Commerce, Shenzhen Media Group and Shenzhen Economic Daily.

"Shenshang" is a regional business group that has emerged after "gangshang" (Hong Kong entrepreneurs), "taishang" (Taiwan entrepreneurs) and "zheshang" (Zhejiang entrepreneurs), said Zhang Shuping, executive vice head of the China General Chamber of Commerce, at the ceremony. He said "shenshang" had become an "essential commercial power in the modern Chinese economy."

Yuan Geng, former board chairman of Shekou Industrial Zone, and four others won the "contribution award," for their roles in the early rise of Shenzhen. The 89-year-old, who was wheeled onto the stage Friday, won the honor for creating the industrial zone in the late 1970s. The other four winners in the category were Wang Shizhen, former president of China Merchants Bank; Wang Dianpu, board chairman of Skyworth; Yu Panglin, philanthropist and former board chairman of Panglin Hotel; and Wang Zhi, former president of Great Wall Technology.

Ma Weihua, the current head of China Merchants Bank, won the "distinguished achievement award" together with other nine entrepreneurs. China Merchants Bank is widely regarded as the most successful small and medium-sized bank in China. During the eight years in which Ma led the bank, its total assets quadrupled. Ren Kelei, president of OCT Group; Ren Zhengfei, president of Huawei Technologies; and Wang Shi, board chairman of Vanke, were also on the list.

The "most influential young entrepreneurs award" went to Ma Huateng, 36-year-old CEO of instant messenger provider Tencent, and another nine entrepreneurs.

The candidates were nominated by 20 trade associations in the city as well as ordinary residents. The 25 entrepreneurs were selected from 58 finalists by a panel of judges.

Liu Yingli, executive vice mayor of Shenzhen, said the common characteristics of the 25 entrepreneurs were that they were "eager to reform and innovate."

The event will be held annually to promote the concept of "shenshang," said Lin Hui, secretary general of the awards.

Chinese businessmen started to group themselves by regions during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when commerce started to prosper in the traditionally feudal society. The most influential business groups are North China's Shanxi group, East China's Anhui group, and South China's Chaozhou group. The business groups helped unite the entrepreneurs and protect them from outside pressure. In the early 20th century, business groups declined amid continuous wars.

But they started to rise again in the 21st century with the nation's rejuvenation. The biggest business group on the Chinese mainland is the Zhejiang group, which has become so influential that "the top leaders of a city would meet them when representatives of the Zhejiang group visit," the Southern Weekend once quoted Wang Shuguang, executive president of the Zheshang Research Association, as saying.

Editor: Yan