CPJRC’s Cheif Scientist Academician Cui Peng Awarded Pakistan’s “Sitara-e-Imtiaz”
Publisher: CPJRC
time: 2026-05-17
On May 15, 2026, the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing held a grand ceremony to confer the “Sitara-e-Imtiaz”, one of the Pakistani government’s highest civil honors for foreign experts, upon Academician Cui Peng, CPJRC Chief Scientist. Pakistani Ambassador to China, Mr. Khalil Hashmi, presented the medal on behalf of the government.
The award recognizes Prof. Cui Peng’s outstanding contributions to China-Pakistan scientific and technological cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as his pivotal role in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
At the ceremony, Mr. Hashmi spoke highly of Prof. Cui’s achievements, stating, “As a world-renowned expert in geological disaster research, Prof. Cui Peng has proven a fundamental truth: when science is put into practice with a sense of urgency, it possesses the power to turn great catastrophes into hope. His timely and professional handling of the Attabad Barrier Lake is a powerful testament to this truth. What was once a perilous threat has now been transformed into a scenic natural attraction. Furthermore, Prof. Cui has long been dedicated to deepening cooperation between Chinese research institutions and Pakistani universities, carefully nurturing a new generation of scholars committed to knowledge sharing and mutual progress.”
For a long time, Prof. Cui and his team have focused on cooperative research in the Himalaya, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram regions. They have promoted pragmatic cooperation in areas such as disaster risk assessment, monitoring and early warning, risk control, climate change adaptation, and talent training. These efforts have provided crucial support for the strategic Sino-Pakistani sci-tech partnership and Pakistan’s national sustainable development. As the founding Director of CPJRC, Prof. Cui has established a platform for bilateral cooperation in earth sciences. He has conducted systematic research on disaster reduction theories and technologies addressing major natural hazards like landslides and debris flows along the Karakoram Highway. By collaborating with the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to implement these technologies, he has effectively ensured the safety and smooth flow of traffic along this vital artery of China-Pakistan friendship.
Representatives and experts from the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE- CAS), Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR- CAS), CPJRC, Beijing Normal University, and Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR), alongside officials from the Pakistani Embassy in China Attended.
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi presents the medal to Academician Cui Peng
Academician Cui delivers a speech of gratitude
