An awards ceremony for outstanding private companies was held on Dec 22 at the Youyi Palace in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.

A total of 90 companies have been awarded prizes for their contributions to Harbin’s economic development.

This is the second time that Harbin has held a voting activity to choose the best private companies in Harbin. The evaluation is based on their social contributions, financial health, observance of laws and sustainable development.

All companies can submit supporting evidence and apply for a prize, but only those companies meeting certain requirements will be chosen.

In 2015, a total of 2.53 billion yuan ($364 million) of tax was paid by Harbin’s top private companies, of which 15 companies paid taxes of more than 50 million yuan.

Song Xibin, mayor of Harbin, delivered a speech at the awards ceremony.

Song expressed his view that the private economy is an important component in the market economy.

"In recent years, the Harbin government has always attached great importance to the development of the private economy and fully implemented policy measures to support the private economy,” he said.

Song noted that the 13th Five-Year Plan period is an important strategic period, during which entrepreneurship should be encouraged.

"The Harbin government will enact more measures to support businesspeople to innovate and develop," he said.