China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held its inaugural Outstanding Diplomat Medal presentation in Beijing on May 18, 2026. Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and spoke about diplomatic envoys’ role in connecting countries.
The ministry established the medal to recognise envoys to China who had contributed significantly to friendly relations between China and other countries.
About 300 participants attended, including foreign diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organisations in China, and Chinese representatives.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry listed recipients from Russia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Chad, Colombia and Uruguay. Former Cambodian ambassador to China Khek M Caimealy Sysoda was among the first 8 recipients. Wang Yi presented the medals to the honourees or their representatives.
Cambodia’s state news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) reported that its journalist attended and covered the event.
Speaking to Cambodian journalists, Sysoda thanked the Chinese government. She said this was the first ceremony of its kind and the first diplomatic medal she had personally received.
According to AKP, she said the recognition reflected the friendship and cooperation that developed between Cambodia and China during her tenure.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the honoured envoys pledged to continue supporting friendship with China, mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Ceremony photograph: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.