Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing on Tuesday said that Pakistan China academia- research cooperation especially in the field of agriculture will be further strengthened for the development and prosperity.

During his visit to University of Agriculture Faisalabad, he performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Modern Confucius Institute and addressed the ongoing Entomological congress. He said that the agriculture is the foundation of nation economy. He added 40 years ago, when they opened their reforms, they started with agriculture and now they are feeding the largest population of 1.4 billion people. Whereas, due to agricultural intervention, Pakistan was also providing food to 200 people. Framework of agreement on agriculture will be finalized during the coming visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to China. The working groups in this regards have also been constituted. He said still, we have a lot of space to expand our agricultural ties. Discussing Ongoing and future projects, he said that Agriculture Display Center may be set up at the University for technological transfer and welfare of rural population. He said that they will increase scholarship cooperation, and students exchange for the university. He lauded the measures being taken on the part of the 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 one MoU with Zhejiang University were signed to collaborate in the area of academia and research. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said that the university had been enjoying the excellent ties with China and had inked more than 30 MoUs with Chinese universities and agriculture institutes. He said that further strengthening in ties will help us to fight the common challenges in the agriculture sector. He suggested that China can establish Vocational and Skill Development Institute at the UAF that will help to get polished technicians and laboratory staff. He said that the China is Pakistan’s all weather friend and both countries people consider each other as their brothers. MNA and Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Farrukh Habib said that Pakistan and China have been enjoying the relation which than deeoper than occasion and sweeter than honey. He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor and One Belt One Road were hallmarks steps that will bring revolutions in the region. He added that the present government of Pakistan had been putting the special attention on the agriculture. He said that strengthened agriculture ties between the both countries will help out to increase the poverty and fight the challenges. UAF Dean Faculty of Agriculture Dr Muhmmad Aslam said that Pakistan was exporting the agricultural produces worth billions of rupees. We have to work on the techniques to increase productivity and pest management techniques. Confucius Institute Vice Chirman Dr Ashfaq Chatha said that the university had produced hundreds of the students in the Chinese languages under CI. He said that we have to joint collaborated efforts for the uplift of the agriculture sector.