BEIJING, MAY 18 /DNA/ – Foreign Minister, Wang Yi today conferred on Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China the prestigious Outstanding Diplomat Medal in recognition of his exceptional diplomatic skills and invaluable contribution to strengthening of Pakistan-China relations.
The medal was conferred at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. A total of eight current and former ambassadors accredited to China received this award: former top envoys from Russian Federation, Cambodia, Chad and Uruguay and current Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan and Colombia.
Among the serving envoys in Beijing, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi became the first to receive this prestigious honour.
Ambassador Hashmi was also the first Ambassador of Pakistan to China to receive this decoration. This was also the first time the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced conferment of awards to foreign envoys who have demonstrated exceptional skills and made vital contribution to the bilateral relations with China.
In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Hashmi expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for conferring this honour. He dedicated the award to members of his team, his family and members of the diplomatic service of both countries who have played a leading role in fostering the time-tested friendship between the two countries over successive generations.
Ambassador Hashmi particularly thanked Foreign Minister Wang Yi for his guidance, support and commitment to deepening ties with Pakistan. He also expressed gratitude to the invaluable cooperation support extended by the Asian Affairs Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in further strengthening bilateral engagement.
Highlighting the unique character of Pakistan-China relations, Ambassador Hashmi noted that the two countries have consistently stood by each other in moments of challenge and solidarity, from the Kashmir earthquake in 2005 and the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 to global public health emergencies and beyond.
Ambassador Hashmi expressed the resolve that the friendship between Pakistan and China has always been and will continue to be “higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel”.
