Agriculture at Heart of Sino-Pak Strategic Partnership
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed the growing significance of agriculture in Sino-Pak cooperation during a recent ceremony at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), where China donated 278 units of agricultural equipment worth 30 million yuan (approx. PKR 1.16 billion). This donation-comprising tractors, harvesters, seeders, and solar-powered water pump systems-marks China's largest aid package in agriculture to Pakistan in recent years.
The ceremony, also attended by Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Rana Tanveer Hussain, showcased the deepening agricultural ties between the two traditional agrarian economies. Pakistan, with over 30.5 million hectares of farmland and agriculture forming a cornerstone of its economy, ranks among the top global producers of wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton. Livestock exceeds 225 million heads, and the country is the fifth-largest milk producer globally.
P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
China, meanwhile, is leveraging its technological edge-where over 63% of agricultural growth stems from scientific advancements and mechanization exceeds 75%-to empower Pakistan through strategic agricultural collaboration.
The cooperation now spans four major dimensions. First, institutional collaboration has matured with the China-Pakistan Agricultural Joint Working Group, which recently held its fourth meeting in Beijing to formalize multiple agricultural agreements. Second, trade in agricultural products has surpassed $1 billion annually, with Pakistan enjoying a surplus. New protocols have enabled the export of Pakistani cherries, heat-treated beef, and buffalo dairy products to China.
Third, bilateral exchanges have intensified, with 300 young Pakistani agricultural professionals recently heading to China for training. Lastly, industrial cooperation under CPEC has expanded into a full-scale initiative covering food crops, dairy, and meat.
Looking ahead, the High-Quality Development Forum on China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation, planned for June, aims to foster innovation and modernisation across the agricultural sector.
Ambassador Jiang emphasized that modern agricultural equipment is foundational to productivity and food security. He urged Pakistan to fully utilize the donated machinery to uplift rural livelihoods.
He also addressed the wider global economic environment, condemning the U.S.'s unilateral tariffs on over 180 countries and highlighting China's steady economic progress and global trade growth. Citing recent GDP and manufacturing growth, Jiang underscored China's role in defending the multilateral trade system and supporting the Global South.
The Ambassador closed with a powerful message on unity: as developing nations face increasing external pressures, deeper collaboration between China and Pakistan will not only boost food security but also uphold global justice, equity, and economic inclusivity.