Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on awarding Yuan Xikun with the "Friendship" order.

In accordance with the order, he has been awarded this order for his services in the development of the cultural relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China.

It is noteworthy that Yuan Xikun is a famous Chinese painter and sculptor. He is the author of the bust to great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi erected in 2021. 

2021 has been declared the Year of Nizami Ganjavi by President Ilham Aliyev.