President Asif Ali Zardari awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) to General Li Qiaoming, Commander of the Ground Forces of the People’s Liberation Army of China, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strengthening defence cooperation between Pakistan and China. The prestigious award was presented during a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and other senior civil and military officials from both nations.
General Li Qiaoming expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating that the award symbolizes the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
In a subsequent meeting with General Li and his delegation, President Zardari reaffirmed the historic ties between the two countries, which have spanned over seven decades. He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to standing with China amidst the evolving global landscape. Zardari also highlighted the importance of further enhancing military and defence collaboration, as well as increasing people-to-people exchanges and cultural connections. He noted that promoting the Chinese language in Pakistan would significantly strengthen these ties. The president also reminded that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was an initiative he had envisioned during his previous tenure.
General Li Qiaoming praised the unbreakable friendship between Pakistan and China and stressed the need for joint efforts to combat terrorism. He also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and conveyed his deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
