On January 20, 2026, the first China-Pakistan Symposium on Education, Science, and Industrial Cooperation took place at COMSTECH headquarters in Islamabad. This marked a renewed collaboration between the two nations, focusing on agriculture, education, and industrial sectors.
The China-Pakistan symposium
The symposium was chaired by Professor Zhang Lixin from Northwest A&F University, China, and attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi. Over 50 representatives from government, academia, and industry participated, discussing collaborative efforts in agriculture and higher education.
Professor Zhang welcomed delegates from Shaanxi province and emphasized the importance of cooperation in precision agriculture and smart machinery. Pakistan’s Shakil Arshad highlighted ongoing collaborations in space science and traditional Chinese medicine with Chinese universities.
Professor Muhammad Azam Khan of Pakistan’s National Agriculture Research Center called for enhanced cooperation with China, noting that 80% of Pakistan’s farmland benefits from locally developed crop varieties. Plans to establish a China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation Center were announced by Professor Shah Nawaz Marri.
Business leaders outlined investment opportunities, such as Baoji Haisheng’s plans to introduce high-density apple cultivation in Pakistan, potentially increasing yields by 30% while reducing water usage by 80%.
The symposium underscored agriculture as a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Ambassador Hashmi emphasized the complementarity of Pakistan’s resources with China’s technology. A new international cooperation program approved in December 2025 aims to provide a platform for future collaboration.
Following the symposium, a 10-day visit by the Chinese delegation included site inspections and meetings with research institutions in Islamabad and Lahore. Several cooperation agreements were signed, establishing joint laboratories and technology transfer centers.
The event laid a foundation for deeper China-Pakistan ties as the two countries approach the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 1st, 2026
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