China welcomes new Pak envoy to Beijing

ISLAMABAD: China on Monday welcomed Pakistan’s new Ambassador Khalid Hashmi to Beijing with Director General of the Protocol Department, Hong Lei, conveying his best wishes to the ambassador for a successful tenure and assured him of full support.

Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, a career diplomat, reached Beijing over the weekend and assumed responsibilities as Pakistan’s new envoy to China. He was received on arrival by Zhang Maoming, Deputy Director General of Asia Department of Chinese MFA.

He succeeds Ambassador Moin ul Haque who returned to Pakistan on retirement early this month. In his first official engagement, Ambassador Hashmi on Monday presented copy of his credentials to Mr Hong Lei, Director General of the Protocol Department.

Ambassador Hashmi, according to his office, expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for the warm welcome accorded to him, in keeping with the long-standing tradition of both countries.

Reminiscing of his previous stint in Beijing from 2008-2010, he expressed his resolve to further solidify the already robust relationship between the two countries.

Speaking to The News from Beijing, Ambassador Hashmi said, “I am greatly honored to be appointed Pakistan’s Ambassador to China. I am excited to be back in Beijing after 13 years. Even though I physically left China in early 2010, China never left me. The country and its people have always had a special place in my heart”, he said.

He pointed out that while reflecting Pakistan and China’s joint achievements, he recognised the weight of responsibility that comes with this post.

“Today, I embark on this journey with a sense of duty and dedication. I’m determined, along with my capable team, to further enrich the scope and depth of our strategic cooperative partnership with China in all its dimensions”, he added.

Ambassador Khalil Hashmi is a senior Pakistani diplomat with 29 years of experience in both bilateral and multilateral relations and it is noteworthy that in his first remarks to the media he makes special mention of his “ capable team “.

Prior to his arrival in China, Ambassador Hashmi served as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva from November 2019 onwards. He has also worked at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to New York twice, including as Deputy Permanent Representative.

Ambassador Hashmi joined the Pakistan diplomatic service in 1994. His first diplomatic assignment was at Pakistan Embassy in Copenhagen from 1999 to 2002. In Islamabad, Ambassador Hashmi has served as Director General of the United Nations, European Region and Arms Control Divisions and as Director of South Asia, India and Disarmament Directorates.

Taking to X, Ambassador Hashmi tweeted, “I began official work today after presenting copy of credentials as Pakistan’s new Ambassador to DG Protocol of @MFA_China. I thanked him for warm reception. I had a productive exchange & agreed to further cement already robust Pakistan and China ties”.