As the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing was winding up his memorable stay in Pakistan, President Arif Alvi did well by awarding Hilal-e-Pakistan Award to the envoy in recognition of his tremendous services in furthering the cause of Sino-Pakistan friendship. The second highest civil award of the country is bestowed upon those who render meritorious contribution to the national interests of Pakistan.
It is a well-deserved honour for a sincere friend of Pakistan who has completed his tenure in a proud manner leaving deep imprints on hearts and minds of people of Pakistan.
This newspaper had the privilege of working closely with the Chinese embassy and HE Yao Jing in carrying forward the noble cause of further consolidating relationship between the two countries and therefore, is fully appreciative of each and every endeavor that the ambassador made to bring the two countries still closer. It was because of the intimate knowledge of his massive contribution that Executive Editor of this newspaper had written a formal letter to President Arif Alvi recommending civil award for Yao Jing commensurate with his services for development of Pakistan and as a good gesture for deep-sea friendship.
A number of personalities worked hard to take the Pak-China friendship to present enviable level but one must acknowledge that Yao Jing, because of his visionary approach, was able to translate many of the ideas and proposals into practical plans, projects and programmes that have contributed to accelerated socio-economic development of Pakistan. His efforts to strengthen the Pakistan-China “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” would always be remembered in Pakistan as these have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
It was during his stay in Pakistan that the two Pakistan and China reached an understanding to start second phase of CPEC with focus on industrialization, agriculture and socio-economic development – goals that have the potential to address most of the problems of people of Pakistan and challenges of the country. Mr. Yao Jing is leaving behind a legacy of working selflessly and diligently to promote bilateral ties in all spheres of life and surely his successor Nong Rong would make his own contribution to the noble cause of Sino-Pak friendship.
