In recognition of his significant contributions to the Pakistan-China friendship and the successful implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng was honored with the prestigious Hilal-i-Pakistan award by President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday.
The award ceremony, held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, services chiefs, National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman, federal ministers, and parliamentarians.
The Hilal-i-Pakistan award is bestowed upon both Pakistanis and foreign nationals who have made meritorious contributions to the national interests of Pakistan.
Vice-Premier He Lifeng, serving as the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (2017-23), played a prominent role in strengthening China’s international economic relations and the successful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, with CPEC as its flagship project.
He was instrumental in planning and executing multiple CPEC projects in Pakistan, contributing to industrialization, socio-economic uplift, and the execution of vital energy projects.
The Chinese Vice-Premier was currently in Pakistan on three-day official visit to attend the 10th-anniversary celebrations of CPEC.
During his visit so far, both the countries have signed six important documents aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation and paving the way for the second phase of CPEC under a new model.
The signed documents included Document on Joint Cooperation Committee on CPEC, MoU on establishing an export exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC, Protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of dry chilies from Pakistan to China and Document on the final report on the feasibility study of realignment of KKH Phase-II.
MoU on the industrial workers exchange program and minutes of the 21st conference of the technical committee to promote the strategic ML-1 project also included in the signed documents.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed delight at the signing of these agreements and thanked Vice-Premier He Lifeng for his visit. He emphasized that the second phase of CPEC would focus on B2B investment in agriculture and information technology, allowing Pakistan to export products in line with Chinese standards and requirements.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated the strong bond between Pakistan and China, describing them as “all-weather friends” and “iron brothers.”
