Pak-China Joint Oilseeds lab inaugurated at ORI
UAF, Chinese delegation agree to Boost Agriculture Cooperation
APP
ISLAMABAD: The Oilseeds Research Institute (ORI), Faisalabad hosted a high-level delegation from China’s Northwest A&F University, marking a significant step towards strengthening China-Pakistan agricultural research cooperation.
During the visit, a COC was signed between ORI, Faisalabad and the Chinese University, Gwadar Pro reported.
Following a meaningful discussion on potential areas of mutual interest and collaborative projects, both Institutes officially committed to a partnership aimed at advancing oilseeds research and development, it added.
This was followed by the inauguration of the new Pak-China Oilseeds Laboratory, a symbol of the burgeoning scientific partnership between the two nations.
The delegation was given a comprehensive tour of the state-of-the-art facilities, which are expected to serve as a hub for joint research efforts.
The visit continued with a field tour to the institute’s sesame crop, providing the Chinese experts with a firsthand look at local cultivation practices and ongoing research trials.
The Pak-China Joint Oilseeds Laboratory at ORI, Faisalabad has been established under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative and has advanced equipment, including NIR, GC, GC-MS, HPLC and fluorescent microscopy, according to ORI, Faisalabad.
UAF, Chinese delegation agree to Boost Agriculture Cooperation
The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and a high-level Chinese delegation have agreed to set up a “Sino-Pak Biohealth Agriculture Sci-tech Demonstration Park” and a joint research laboratory to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and Biohealth.
The agreements were reached during a visit by a delegation from China’s Silk-Road Biohealth Agricultural Industry Alliance, Northwest A&F University China to UAF, Gwadar Pro reported on Sunday.
According to statement the delegation was led by Prof. Zhang Lixin, Chairman of the Alliance, and Prof. Sun Daoyang, a senior member.
During a series of meetings and facility visits at UAF, the two sides explored ways to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a focus on food security, research innovation, and technology transfer.
“Our goal is to share China’s advanced agricultural technologies with our Pakistani partners to address shared challenges and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” said Prof. Zhang Lixin.
The delegation met with top UAF officials including Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, Dean Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Dr. Rao Zahid Abbas, Principal Officer of the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI); Dr. Imran Arshad, Director of ORIC; and Dr. Saddam Hussain, Dean of the Confucius Institute.
The visit included tours of UAF’s Central Library, Exhibition Center, experimental fields, the Pak-Korea Nutrition Center, and the Confucius Institute.
“We are proud to work with our Chinese colleagues to establish the demonstration park and joint lab, which will become a hub of innovation and applied research,” said Prof. Dr. Rao Zahid Abbas. “These efforts will directly contribute to Pakistan’s food security and agricultural modernization.”
The collaboration will also expand academic exchanges and joint research programs through the Silk-Road Biohealth Alliance framework.
Dr. Saddam Hussain emphasized that “this initiative marks a new chapter in Sino-Pak academic and research cooperation, especially in the fields of sustainable agriculture and Biohealth.”
Urumqi resumes fresh seafood imports from Pakistan after two-year
Urumqi Tianshan International Airport has received its first shipment of fresh seafood imports from Pakistan in two years, signaling the reopening of its designated inspection site for inbound aquatic products, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.
The 1,292-kilogram consignment—including black pomfret, prawns, hairtail, and grouper—arrived on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6008 from Islamabad.
The shipment follows two months of coordination among importers, customs, and airport authorities.
Previously, seafood sold in Xinjiang was mainly transported from China’s coastal regions, adding time and cost.
Direct air shipments now shorten transit times, helping preserve freshness and reduce expenses for importers.
Customs officials at Tianshan Airport facilitated rapid clearance by coordinating with stakeholders in advance, streamlining inspections, and ensuring compliance at all checkpoints.
Pakistan’s deep-sea fisheries offer high-quality seafood that is increasingly popular with Chinese consumers.
The reopening of Urumqi’s cold chain infrastructure marks a step forward in regional trade connectivity.
Xinjiang Airport Group plans to expand its capabilities by applying for official designation to import edible aquatic animals.
Leveraging the airport’s extensive network across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it aims to bring fresh global products—such as cherries, lobsters, and salmon—directly to local consumers’ tables, according to the group.
