President Dr Arif Alvi has conferred the Hilal-i-Pakistan award on Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in recognition of his contribution to the Pakistan-China friendship and promotion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
To clarify, conferred on both Pakistanis and foreign nationals, the Hilal-i-Pakistan award is Pakistan’s second-highest civil award and is meant to recognize those people who have made a meritorious contribution to the national interests of Pakistan.
According to the details, a historic ceremony took place at the President’s House, where Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng received Hilal-e-Pakistan. The ceremony marked a moment of profound significance, symbolizing the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
Read more: Chinese Vice Premier Commemorates 10-Year CPEC Anniversary in Pakistan
The special investiture ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, services chiefs, National Assembly Speaker, Senate Chairman, federal ministers, and parliamentarians.
Breaking News :
President Dr. Arif Alvi conferred Hilal-e- Pakistan award upon Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Islamabad today. pic.twitter.com/I5rRSTCJvx
— Malik Ali Raza (@MalikAliiRaza) July 31, 2023
The Chinese vice premier arrived in Islamabad a day earlier in to celebrate 10 years of CPEC in Pakistan. He was welcomed at the airport by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
The Chinese vice premier was accorded a welcome after he arrived at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad to meet PM Shehbaz Sharif. The premier received the foreign dignitary at the main entrance of the PM House.
Upon He Lifeng’s arrival, the prime minister introduced his delegation comprising federal cabinet members Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Hina Rabbani Khar and Tariq Fatemi to the Chinese vice premier.
Read more: GVS Exclusive: Khalid Mansoor discusses misconceptions over China’s CPEC investments
According to the Foreign Office (FO), the visiting dignitary will be in Pakistan from July 30 to August 1 (Tuesday). He Lifeng will attend a ceremony celebrating a decade of CPEC as the chief guest.
Earlier today, China and Pakistan attended signed six agreements for the promotion of bilateral cooperation. The event was attended by PM Shehbaz, the Chinese vice premier, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other foreign dignitaries.