Shouguang, April 20, 2026 — Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi visited Shouguang city in Shandong province from April 19–20 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and promote technological collaboration between Pakistan and China.
The visit was part of the 27th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science & Technology Expo, where Pakistan was designated as the Guest Country of Honour, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Ambassador Hashmi was received by Mayor Zhao Tianbao, who briefed him on Shouguang’s advanced agricultural ecosystem, including smart greenhouse systems and integrated vegetable value chains. The ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s agricultural potential and stressed the need for technology transfer, investment, and modern farming practices to improve productivity.
Both sides discussed possible cooperation in smart greenhouse demonstration projects and expanded institutional and business linkages aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Ambassador Hashmi also visited leading agricultural technology firms and high-tech farming demonstration bases in Shandong, where he observed climate-resilient farming systems capable of increasing crop yields and production cycles. Discussions focused on launching pilot projects in Pakistan in areas such as protected cultivation, precision farming, and agri-technology integration.
On April 20, the ambassador inaugurated the Pakistan National Pavilion at the Expo, showcasing a range of Pakistani agricultural and cultural products including pink rock salt, Basmati rice, pine nuts, biscuits, and handicrafts. He described the pavilion as a symbol of enduring Pakistan-China friendship and a platform for enhancing trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Hashmi encouraged Chinese companies to explore joint ventures in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, particularly in greenhouse technology, sustainable food systems, and water-efficient farming solutions. He noted that Shouguang’s advancements in smart agriculture offer valuable lessons for Pakistan’s agricultural modernization.
He also participated in a symposium on agricultural facility cooperation, where he identified key areas for collaboration including seed development, post-harvest processing, cold-chain logistics, and irrigation technologies. He highlighted Pakistan’s investor-friendly environment, Special Economic Zones, and strategic market access as strong incentives for Chinese investment.
The ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to facilitating partnerships through policy support and business matchmaking, while proposing expert exchanges and a future agricultural symposium in Pakistan to share Shouguang’s expertise with local farmers.
The visit underscored the growing momentum in Pakistan-China agricultural cooperation and both sides’ commitment to advancing innovation-driven, sustainable farming solutions.
