Four Malaysians received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF) out of the nine recipients named for the award.

The award honoured leaders who have contributed substantially to their communities, countries and society as well as to the betterment of relations with China.

The Malaysian recipients are former MCA president Tan Koon Swan, who received the award for business and political leadership, and leading property developer, Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin of S P Setia Bhd, for property and philanthropic leadership.

The other two recipients are Datuk Vincent Lee Fook Loong for his leadership in the media industry and Datuk Jimmy Choo for his leadership in the fashion and shoe industry.

The WCEF Patron's Special Leadership Award was conferred on Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for practising the Confucian values of benevolence and righteousness in leadership.

Tan said eventhough the world, including Malaysia, was facing economic challenges, there were abundant business opportunities amid the challenges, especially in Asean and China.