Yue Gaofeng is pictured at a horse ranch. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] 

Yue Gaofeng, Shanxi-born secretary general of the China Horse Industry Association, was recently awarded with the Turkmenistan National Top Medal of Honor for Horse Industry by Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, making him the first Chinese citizen to receive the honor. 

Born in local Changzhi city, Yue majored in animal husbandry at China Agricultural University and from 2007 he has worked at the China Horse Industry Association, an authoritative organization managing and serving the nation's horse industry and which deals with similar institutions in other countries.

Officials said Yue has promoted "horse diplomacy" and advanced closer relations between China and Turkmenistan. 

The medal of honor was in recognition of Yue's great contribution to strong links between the equine industries of the two countries and cooperation involving the Akhal-Teke horse, a breed from Turkmenistan known for its speed and endurance. He was also awarded the honorary title of national horse expert in Turkmenistan. 

Turkmenistan, an important stop on the Silk Road, is famous for its national emblem – the Akhal-Teke horse – a household name in China since the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). The country has on three occasions presented the breed to Chinese leaders, as testimony to friendship between the two countries.