Pakistan Ambassador Masood Khalid (L) and Mr Jiang Jianqing cut a cake in an investiture ceremony held at Pakistan House in Beijing in September. Provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Pakistan has bestowed on Jiang Jianqing, chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, one of the nation's highest awards, the Crescent of the Order of Great Leader.

Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid, presented the award in Beijing on Monday night. It had been conferred by the President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, in recognition of Jiang's services in strengthening Pakistan-China relations.

Khalid commended Jiang on his efforts. The award citation said that under Jiang's leadership, ICBC, the world's largest commercial bank, had financed several bilateral economic projects between China and Pakistan. His role had been critical in expanding the scale of the bank's engagements in Pakistan, the citation said, adding that timely delivery of financial resources from ICBC had ensured completion of projects within deadlines.

Khalid welcomed ICBC's presence in Pakistan and said he hoped it would continue to play a productive role in strengthening Pakistan-China economic ties, particularly in banking and finance, and said he hoped Jiang would visit Pakistan soon to give further impetus to the relationship.

"I am very excited to accept this presidential award by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," Jiang said as he received the honor. "I feel very proud."

Since diplomatic ties were formed between China and Pakistan 63 years ago, governments of both countries had always attached great importance to the relationship, Jiang said.

ICBC, with a full banking license in Pakistan, has branches in Karachi and Islamabad, and a third branch will open soon in Lahore, he said.

The bank attaches great importance to promoting the Sino-Pakistani economic corridor, he said, and a working group had been jointly established with Pakistan's Ministry of Water and Energy to provide financial support for power and energy projects.

ICBC was involved in building Gwadar Port and promoting the establishment of industrial parks in Pakistan, he said.

"In short, as the only Chinese commercial bank in Pakistan, ICBC will fully support the construction of the Sino-Pakistan economic corridor."

chenyingqun@chinadaily.com.cn