Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that framework of agreement (FoA) on agriculture will be finalised during the coming visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to China.
He said this during his visit to University of Agriculture where he performed groundbreaking ceremony of Modern Confucius Institute and spoke at ongoing Entomological congress.
Yao Jing said that working groups for framework of agreement had also been constituted. Still, we have a lot of space to expand our agricultural ties, he said.
"Pakistan-China academia- research cooperation especially in the field of agriculture will be further strengthened for development and prosperity," he said, adding that agriculture is foundation of the nation's economy. He noted that 40 years ago, when China began introducing reforms, they started with agriculture and now they are feeding the largest population of 1.4 billion people. He said Pakistan is also providing food to 200 million people due to agricultural intervention.
Chinese ambassador said Agriculture Display Centre may be set up at the University for technological transfer and welfare of rural population. He said they would increase scholarship cooperation and students exchange for the university. He lauded the measures being taken by university for the development and prosperity of the country.
On the occasion, Memorandum of Understandings of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad with Institute of Plant Protection And Soil Science, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China and another MoU with Zhejiang University were signed to collaborate in the area of academia and research.
UAF vice chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said the university had been enjoying excellent ties with China and had inked more than 30 MoUs with Chinese universities and agriculture institutes. He said that further strengthening in ties would help us to fight common challenges in the agriculture sector. He suggested that China could establish Vocational and Skill Development Institute at the UAF that would help get polished technicians and laboratory staff. He said China is Pakistan's all-weather friend and both countries people consider each other as their brothers.
On the occasion, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Farrukh Habib said that Pakistan and China have been enjoying the relation deeper than occasion and sweeter than honey. He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and One Belt One Road were hallmarks steps that would bring about revolution in the region. He said present government of Pakistan had been putting special attention on agriculture sector. He said strengthened agriculture ties between both countries would help out to increase the poverty and fight the challenges.
UAF Dean Faculty of Agriculture Dr Muhammad Aslam said that Pakistan was exporting agricultural produces worth billions of rupees. We have to work on techniques to increase productivity and pest management techniques.
Confucius Institute vice chairman Dr Ashfaq Chattha said that university had produced hundreds of students in Chinese language under CI. He also called for joint collaborated efforts to uplift agriculture sector.
Chinese Consul General (CCG) in Lahore Long Dingbin, chairman Entomology Dr Mansoor-ul-Hassan Sahi, Dr Waseem Akram, Dr Abid Ali, Dr Waqas Wakeel and other notables also spoke.
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