For the first time, the government of India has conferred Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, to a foreigner Young Liu who is the CEO and chairman of (Taiwan)Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn). 

Liu was among the 132 other Padma Bhushan awardees, approved by President Droupadi Murmu on January 25, the eve of the 75 Republic Day.

This decision has reportedly irked China. Apart from Liu, Sitaram Jindal was also conferred the Padma Bhushan from the trade and industry field. Meanwhile, Kalpana Morparia and Shashi Soni were conferred the Padma Shri from the trade and industry field. 

Liu has been leading Foxconn since 2019. The company is the largest electronics manufacturer in the world. 

Foxconn also owns the biggest iPhone factory in the world and Liu was considered responsible for making Apple sideline in China and making huge investments in India. 

Liu has been the founder of three companies in the past -- Young Micro Systems in 1988, IC Design Company in 1995, and ITeX in 1997. 

He completed his MS degree in computer engineering in 1986 from the University of Southern California, before which he completed his BS degree in Electrophysics in 1978 from Taiwan's National Chiao Tung University.

Hitting China hard, Liu has actively promoted foreign direct investment in India in the chip manufacturing sector as well.