3M was honored by the National Committee on United States-China Relations last night for improving lives through innovation and for its commitment to China over several decades.

CNBC’s chief international correspondent Michelle Caruso-Cabrera presented original artwork by renowned contemporary Chinese landscape painter Zhao Wei to Inge Thulin, 3M chairman, president and chief executive officer, during a gala dinner at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.

“Our most critical international relationship is with China and the quality of that relationship will determine our future,” Caruso-Cabrera said. “The work that you do could not be more important.”

3M’s history in China began in 1984 when it established the first wholly-owned, foreign-invested enterprise outside the Shenzhen Special Economic Zones, in Shanghai. 3M China today spans 12 subsidiaries, 27 offices and 11 manufacturing sites.

About the National Committee on United States-China Relations

The National Committee on United States-China Relations promotes understanding and cooperation between the United States and Greater China in the belief that sound and productive Sino-American relations serve vital American and world interests. Established in 1966, the National Committee is a private, non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. In 1972, the National Committee sponsored the historic visit of China’s Ping-Pong team to the United States; since then has accumulated four decades of experience developing innovative programs at the forefront of U.S.-China relations. Visit www.ncuscr.org.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

3MDonna Fleming Runyon, 651-736-7646