China held the inaugural presentation ceremony of the Outstanding Diplomat Medal on Monday, honoring eight current and former ambassadors to China for their contributions to advancing friendship and cooperation between China and the world.
When delivering a speech at the ceremony, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the honorees are builders of bilateral ties, pioneers in promoting understanding of China, champions of people-to-people exchanges and practitioners of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Wang said the Foreign Ministry established the medal to convey China's appreciation and gratitude. He expressed confidence that the envoys would carry fond memories of China with them, a country that many of them have come to regard as a second home.
Wang voiced his hope that the envoys would continue to foster friendship between China and the world, adding that the Foreign Ministry will continue to provide strong support for envoys serving in China.
Describing China as a peace-loving, open and inclusive country that cherishes friendship and upholds justice, Wang said that China stands ready to join hands with all progressive forces to work toward a brighter future for humanity.
Andrey Denisov, who served as Moscow's envoy in Beijing for more than nine years and is now the first deputy chair of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that Russia-China relations are at their highest level in history, with the two sides closely aligned on many major issues.
Denisov said that he is proud to have made his own contributions to a relationship that stands as a pillar of stability amid global turbulence.
Shakhrat Nuryshev, Kazakh ambassador to China, said that his career has been closely connected with China over the past three decades. "During this time, I have had the privilege of directly participating in bilateral relations," he said.
Nuryshev said the medal recognizes not only his personal contribution but also the progress the two countries have made in strengthening the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China. He pledged to do his utmost to further consolidate the good-neighborly friendship.
Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Saudi ambassador to China, said the medal is an affirmation of the long-standing relationship between Saudi Arabia and China, which he described as being in an unprecedented golden period under the guidance of the two countries' leaders.
He also noted that the medal reflects the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation in China's diplomacy. Having begun his second four-year term as the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China last month, he pledged to continue collaborating with Chinese partners and friends to expand prospects for Sino-Saudi relations.
Colombian Ambassador to China Sergio Cabrera Cardenas said that this honor reflects the solid and growing friendship between Colombia and China. Recalling his first visit to China in 1963 at the age of 13, Cabrera said the experience left a lasting impression on him, instilling a lifelong respect for the country and deepening his understanding of Chinese civilization.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1980, Colombia and China have advanced cooperation based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and a shared vision for development, he said, adding that he will continue working to strengthen the bilateral friendship.
The other honorees are former Cambodian ambassador to China Khek Caimealy Sysoda, Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, former Chadian ambassador to China Allamaye Halina and former Uruguayan ambassador to China Fernando Lugris Rodriguez.