Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: In more than 40 years, China has designated the first non-career envoy for Pakistan as its new ambassador Nong Rong has assumed his assignment in Islamabad.
Ambassador Nong Rong has brought a special message of the goodwill from President Xi Jinping for the government and people of Pakistan that he would deliver to President Arif Alvi next week when he will be formally submitting his credentials to him.
He had attended important meetings with top Pakistani officials, including those from the Foreign Office since his arrival.
Ambassador Nong has been dealing in foreign trade and economic affairs in 29-year of his service in China in various capacities.
He was never associated with the China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs but has the tremendous skill of negotiating and comprehending trade and economic matters.
Nong Rong, 53, belongs to the southern Chinese autonomous region of Guangxi Zhuang which is located near Vietnam’s border.
Sources in diplomatic circles told The News that Nong Rong would provide a much-needed push to the historic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plans which is the flagship project of its gigantic Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), connecting China with the whole world through new highways and routes.
Ambassador Nong Rong is viewed among close aides of current Chinese leadership.
The new ambassador has handed over his diplomatic documents to the Foreign Office that has enabled him to initiate his diplomatic work in Islamabad, the sources added.
