BEIJING: Pakistani flag that was carried to Chinese space station aboard the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft was handed over to the Embassy of Pakistan at a special “hatch-opening ceremony” held here at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

The national flags of Pakistan and China were sent by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) to outer space to commemorate the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The event was attended by Moin-ul-Haque, Pakist­an’s ambassador to China, Zhao Xiaojin, secretary of the China Academy of Space Technology, Hao Chun, director general of the China Manned Space Agency, Yang Liwei, deputy chief designer of the China Manned Space Programme, and other leading scientists and experts.

The flags were sent aboard Long March-2F carrier rocket on June 17, 2021, and returned via Shenzhou-12, China’s manned spacecraft, after staying in the space for three months.

Shnezhou-12 space mission carried three Chinese astronauts to the space for building Tiangong, Chinese space station which is expected to be completed next year.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Haque congratulated CMSA, CAST and other Chinese research institutions on the successful manned space mission.

He said that space journey of national flags of the two countries was a special demonstration of unique friendship between Pakistan and China and a befitting way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2021