Pakistan rewarded two Chinese dignitaries on Thursday for their efforts in strengthening relations between the two countries. Zhao Baige, the vice chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Geng Ying, the president of the China Cultural Heritage Foundation, received the civil awards during a ceremony held at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing.

Dr. Zhao has greatly contributed to the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and launched the Karamay Initiative to promote economic and commercial ties, according to the embassy. In recognition of her outstanding services to Pakistan, she was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian honor in Pakistan.

Geng contributed to the publication of "Pak-Cheen Dosti", a bilingual anthology of poetry on the Pakistan-China friendship. She also moved the "China-Pakistan Friendship Bamboo" from the residence of the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan to the city of Wuhan. In recognition of her outstanding services to Pakistan, she was given the Sitara-i-Pakistan, the highest civil award in the country.

The civil awards are bestowed on Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of immense services to the country. 

(CGTN's Shen Hui also contributed to the story)