BEIJING, Jan. 31, 2026: The inaugural China-Pakistan Symposium on Education, Science, and Industrial Cooperation took place on January 20, 2026, at the COMSTECH headquarters, signifying a renewed commitment to bilateral collaboration.
Chaired by Senior Professor Zhang Lixin of Northwest A&F University, the symposium saw participation from over 50 representatives from both countries’ government agencies, universities, research institutions, and leading enterprises. The event was graced by Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, who delivered the keynote address.
Professor Zhang Lixin greeted a diverse delegation, which included representatives from Shaanxi Province, faculty and students from Northwest A&F University, as well as officials from Pakistan’s science and technology sectors.
Key discussions revolved around agriculture, higher education, and industrial cooperation. Mr. Shakil Arshad, representing Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, discussed ongoing projects in space science and Traditional Chinese Medicine with institutions such as Nanjing University and Xi’an Jiaotong University.
Agriculture experts highlighted the need for collaborative innovation. Professor Muhammad Azam Khan of Pakistan’s National Agriculture Research Center underlined the success of developing over 700 crop varieties. He stressed enhanced collaboration with China in precision agriculture and smart machinery. Professor Shah Nawaz Marri from Sindh Agriculture University announced the establishment of Pakistan’s first China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation Center, expressing hopes for joint research in pepper variety improvement and germplasm exchange for high-value crops.
Business leaders identified promising investment opportunities. Sun Lianfeng, Baoji Haisheng Modern Agriculture’s General Manager, shared plans to introduce high-density apple cultivation technologies in Pakistan, potentially boosting yields by 30% while cutting water use by 80%. Feng Lianying of Xianyang Kangda Modern Agriculture confirmed ongoing preparations to invest in modern poultry farming facilities in Pakistan.
Educational cooperation has already delivered significant outcomes. Over 260 Pakistani students pursue agriculture majors at Northwest A&F University, with more than 510 completing training programs. Meanwhile, 10 Chinese Silk Road graduate students have engaged in exchange studies in Pakistan, and 2 Pakistani students are poised for training in smart agricultural technology in China.
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, in his concluding remarks, described agriculture as a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s high-quality development, highlighting the complementarity between Pakistan’s resources and China’s technological prowess. He also announced a major international cooperation initiative, approved in December 2025, that will offer a new collaboration platform.
The symposium concluded with a ten-day series of visits by the Chinese delegation to Islamabad, Lahore, and other regions. Activities included participation in an agriculture investment conference, inspections of farms, food processing, and poultry facilities, and meetings with research institutions like the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Ayub Agricultural Research Institute. Several agreements were signed, laying the groundwork for joint labs, technology transfer centers, and demonstration parks.
These dialogues and subsequent engagements have translated into tangible cooperation, fortifying people-to-people connections and setting a robust foundation for an enhanced China-Pakistan partnership as they near the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
