LAHORE: The Chinese Consulate in Pakistan organised a Friendship Award Ceremony at Governor’s House IN Lahore, to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to strengthening Pakistan –China friendship and bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The award recipients represented diverse fields, including business, academia, security, media, and other spheres of public life. Governor Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider, presented the awards, while Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren was also present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Consul General of China, Zhao Shiren stated that the initiative aimed to acknowledge the consistent efforts of Pakistani friends in promoting and deepening Pak–China relations. He noted that during the current year, the Chinese Consulate had worked closely with partners across Punjab to further enhance the longstanding bond of friendship between the two countries. Highlighting China’s contributions to Pakistan’s socioeconomic and educational development, the consul general said that the consulate had actively collaborated with local stakeholders to strengthen people-to-people connections. He informed the audience that the Chinese Consulate awarded Chinese Consul General Scholarships to more than 500 students at 10 universities across Punjab. The initiative, he said, was intended to encourage academic excellence and enable students to contribute to national development while serving as future ambassadors of Pak–China friendship. Referring to Pakistan’s recent challenges, Consul General Zhao recalled the devastating floods that severely damaged infrastructure and affected thousands of people. He said that China extended humanitarian assistance by supplying relief goods to over 3,000 affected individuals to support rehabilitation efforts. He further stated that China had facilitated visits of Pakistani university representatives and media professionals to China, providing them with firsthand exposure to the country’s modernization and development. Additionally, officials from South Punjab were hosted in Xinjiang to explore opportunities for targeted cooperation in the agricultural sector. He added that cultural initiatives such as the Chinese Film Festival and the China–Pakistan Love Festival Expo reflected the shared commitment of both nations to promoting mutual understanding of each other’s development, history, and culture. Concluding his remarks, Consul General Zhao emphasized that the Chinese Consulate would continue to serve as a vital platform for meaningful dialogue and cooperation between Pakistan and China in the future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025