Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) poses for a group photo on Monday with eight present and former ambassadors who received the Outstanding Diplomat Medal during a presentation ceremony in Beijing. WANG ZHUANGFEI/CHINA DAILY
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.
