Gauhar Zahid Malik
Islamabad
Known for his aggressive defence of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other joint ventures, always speaking high of China-Pakistan friendship and exposing those doing propaganda against it Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Embassy of China Zhao Lijian is completing his 4-year term in Pakistan.
Today, August 8, is his last day in office. Zhao Lijian is heading back to Beijing to serve at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is replaced by Minister Counsellor Pang Chunxue.
Even during last week in office he was overseeing various projects related to energy and infrastructure in Pakistan, visiting Multan and Sahiwal and holding meetings with officials there.
In Pakistan, Zhao Lijian is one of the few diplomats, the Asian as well as the European, who used social media as a platform to effectively project Chinese side of the things and explained various points regarding CPEC.
On the same medium, he countered all those who spread negativity about CPEC or China. Zhao Lijian exposed all such elements and cautioned the Pakistani people and the government to beware of these hate-mongers.
Recently, on August 1, Zhao Lijian’s shut-up call to a senior journalist who boasted “CPEC is dead” went viral on Twitter as Mr Zhao Lijian replied to him in the following words: “Congratulations! This person has again been awarded ‘joke of the day award.’ Thar Coal Mine and Power Plant were completed in May. M-5 Motorway, KKH Phase II, Hubco Power Plant will be completed soon. 27 social projects were decided. 9 SEZs are making good progress. CPEC is here to stay!”
In effective use of social media and to highlight
