Johnson & Johnson China Chairman Will Song Named to 2023 Forbes China Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites

ShanghaiOctober 30, 2023PR Newswire -- Recently, the results of the "2023 Forbes China Top 100 Most Influential Overseas Chinese Elites" were announced. Song Weiqun, Global Senior Vice President of Johnson & Johnson and Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China, was selected for the 2023 Forbes China Top 100 Most Influential Overseas Chinese Elites (Influence) list, becoming one of the first group of outstanding business leaders in China to be included in this list. Other awardees who made the list alongside Song Weiqun include leaders from Fortune Global 500 companies and leading enterprises in China, as well as distinguished representatives from fields such as technology, culture, and education. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson ranked among the top 50 foreign-invested enterprises in China in terms of influence according to Forbes China.

This year marks the third consecutive year that Forbes China has hosted the "Chinese Elite Series Awards," and it is also the first time that the awards have been introduced to both the Asian and Chinese markets. The list selects 100 outstanding representatives of Chinese people from two dimensions: "Business" and "Culture & Scientific Research," categorizing them into two groups: "Influence" and "Growth Potential." Those selected for the "Influence" category are industry leaders who have achieved significant accomplishments and demonstrated strong global influence in the current year.

Over a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson & Johnson has been committed to making a profound impact on the development of human health. As the first China-born chairman in Johnson & Johnson's history, Song Weiqun leads the Johnson & Johnson China management team, continuously advancing the innovation and synergistic development of the company’s medical technology and innovative pharmaceutical businesses in China. Today, within Johnson & Johnson’s global business landscape, China is not only one of the fastest-growing markets but also an important source of global innovation strategy.

Under the leadership of Song Weiqun, Johnson & Johnson became the first Fortune Global 500 multinational enterprise to position the Chinese market as a global "dual engine of innovation and development" in 2019. Johnson & Johnson is also a leading company supporting Shanghai in building a global science and technology innovation center, and was recognized by the Shanghai municipal government as an open innovation platform at the end of 2020.

For many years, Johnson & Johnson has continuously accelerated the introduction of globally leading innovative medical products to meet the health needs of the people. In addition, the company supports the government in building an open innovation ecosystem by establishing innovation incubators and innovation centers, and collaborates with local and global innovative enterprises to promote the transformation of cutting-edge medical innovations.

Johnson & Johnson China has participated in the CIIE for six consecutive years, being one of the largest exhibitors in the medical area. It has showcased global innovative solutions targeting high-incidence diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, common cancers, orthopedic conditions, mental illnesses, and cataracts.

Song Weiqun is driving the company’s high-end manufacturing in China and digital transformation with highly forward-looking strategic layouts, accelerating the construction of local R&D innovation and advanced smart manufacturing capabilities. Taking the Johnson & Johnson Medical (Suzhou) Campus as an example, it is not only Johnson & Johnson's largest end-to-end supply chain base in China, but also one of its globally significant comprehensive industrial parks integrating functions such as manufacturing, R&D, shared services, and customer logistics. It has been listed as a "Lighthouse Factory" by the World Economic Forum. Johnson & Johnson Medical was the first to initiate digital transformation in the Chinese market, embracing new opportunities brought by the wave of digital innovation in the healthcare industry, actively building pioneering digital leadership in areas such as digital diagnosis and treatment, digital operational management, and digital talent development.

In 2021, Johnson & Johnson China announced three major strategies and six key initiatives to support the national "Common Prosperity" goal. In key areas such as mental health, eye health, populations in urgent need of surgery, and common diseases, the company supported the implementation of multiple public welfare projects, promoting the equitable distribution of high-quality medical resources for the benefit of people's livelihoods. Johnson & Johnson has also actively contributed corporate strength in combating the pandemic, disaster relief, and crisis response. Over the past six years, it has donated more than 1.2 billion RMB to support social welfare, disaster assistance, and patient support programs. For a long time, Song Weiqun has personally given back to society. He has led teams as a volunteer doctor for Operation Smile on multiple occasions. With Johnson & Johnson’s support, this project has repaired cleft lips and palates for over 30,000 Chinese children.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Song Weiqun joining Johnson & Johnson. With a global perspective, an open and innovative mindset, and decisive actions, he has led Johnson & Johnson China to actively participate in the construction of "Healthy China," fully playing the role of an industry leader. By providing high-quality healthcare products, he serves the health of the people and gives back to society. He holds significant influence in both the industry and multinational corporate circles, taking on multiple social roles. He actively explores sustainable development experiences for multinational corporations under China’s new development pattern, promoting exchanges. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to China's economic development and the growth of the healthcare industry, Song Weiqun has received numerous honors, including the highest accolade at the 12th Healthy China Forum—"Top Ten Figures of Healthy China," "Shanghai Model Worker," "CEO of the Year" in The China Newsweek's Annual Influential Figures List, "Outstanding Chinese Leader of a Multinational Corporation of the Year" by Economic Observer, "China CEO of the Year" by Interface News, and "Sunshine Annual Leadership Figure" by the 21st Century Healthcare Research Institute.

"This honor is not only an inspiration and motivation for me personally, but also a recognition and affirmation of Johnson & Johnson China," said Song Weiqun, Global Senior Vice President of Johnson & Johnson and Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China. "As Johnson & Johnson rebrands, we will focus even more on our two core businesses: medical technology and innovative pharmaceuticals. I look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with over 10,000 Johnson & Johnson employees in China, making innovation our core competitiveness, supporting the government in building a high-quality healthcare system, and serving the health needs of 1.4 billion people in China."