As the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Mr Yao Jing, after spending an illustrious 3 years as ambassador, prepares to leave, Pakistan is all set to welcome the incoming ambassador designate Mr. Nong Rong, who is an expert in trade and commerce. Mr. Rong joined the Chinese Communist Party in January 1987, is currently holding the portfolio of a minister in the provincial government of Guangxi. Prior to being appointed as ambassador to Pakistan, Mr Rong served the government in the field of economics and trade. He is also known for being a former city mayor.
Born in September, 1967, Mr Nong Rong holds a master’s degree in business administration, senior management and international trade.
It is worthy to mention that Mr. Nong Rong’s appointment is a political and out-of-routine one, undertaken keeping in mind the ground realities and the requirements of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project, which is set to enter its second phase. In the past, Chinese ambassadors to Pakistan were mostly career diplomats and had served in various diplomatic assignments across the world before coming here, Mr Rong due to his professional expertise, emerged as a strong contender of this post.
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Previously, in the 1950s, China appointed a political figure as ambassador to Pakistan. His name was General Geng Biao and is widely credited for being the chief architect of China-Pakistan relations.
All eyes are on the incoming ambassador who is expected to play a huge role in the CPEC and its associated agriculture, industrialization and services sector. The idea is that the second phase will expand the scope of CPEC projects; with more economic activities, poverty eradication will be possible. This phase will be crucial for Pakistan as amid the global economic recession owing to the pandemic, the country’s economy suffered tremendously. Both the countries require close coordination and consultations to make the second phase more productive.
The outgoing Ambassador Mr Yao Jing, a career diplomat who has been in the foreign service of China for almost thirty years, recently in an exclusive interview with us expressed his strong sense of affection to the people and the land of Pakistan. He said: “It is very difficult for me to say goodbye, I take Pakistan as more than a second home. I have a lot of friends and partners in Pakistan…”
Based on Mr. Nong Rong’s highly important appointment at this critical juncture of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, people of both the countries are having high expectations from him, even before his arrival
“My heart and mind will remain in Pakistan,” the ambassador added.
Mr Yao Jing has spent eleven years in Pakistan, serving in various capacities. He has also served in India as deputy head of mission and as ambassador in Afghanistan. Due to his long diplomatic stint in this region, Mr Jing understands the people of this region more than most in China. He has proved to be a highly successful ambassador in Pakistan. Until the next assignment, Mr Jing will be stationed at the headquarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.
The newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan Mr Nong Rong’s performance will be gauged with that of Mr Jing who has enjoyed huge popularity in Pakistan.
Mr Rong became the Communist Party’s Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ethnic Minority Language Working Committee in December 2019. He also served as the Vice Minister (and concurrently minister) of the United Front Work Department of the Autonomous Region Party Committee.
Mr Rong, once again became associated with the Ethnic Minority Language Working Committee in January 2020, but this time in a different capacity, as the Director of the autonomous region. An expert in trade and commerce, Mr Nong Rong has also served as the deputy to the 13th National People’s Congress and member of the 11th Party Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
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Based on Mr. Nong Rong’s highly important appointment at this critical juncture of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, people of both the countries are having high expectations from him, even before his arrival.
GVS extends a warm welcome to Mr Nong Rong, the ambassador designate to Pakistan!