Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday met Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee Chen Xiaojiang and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation between Punjab and Xinjiang in agriculture, irrigation, livestock and other key sectors. Chen Xiaojiang warmly welcomed the chief minister, who thanked him for the reception. The meeting was also attended by CPC Xinjiang Uygur Deputy Secretary He Zhongyu, Head of the Publicity Department Wang Jinzhen, Executive Vice Governor of Xinjiang Uygur Zhang Yingchen and Provincial Deputy Secretary-General of the CPC Li Qiyong, said a handout issued here. The two sides agreed to strengthen partnership in agriculture, irrigation and livestock sectors and discussed practical measures to benefit from each other’s expertise and experience. They also agreed to explore the use of advanced aerial vehicles, modern water-levelling techniques and digital crop-monitoring systems to improve agricultural producti
vity. Detailed discussions were held on agricultural irrigation, mechanisation and livestock development.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz offered cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, water-efficient irrigation and livestock development, while the two sides also agreed to promote the use of tested Chinese seeds to enhance crop productivity. The meeting stressed the importance of increasing exchanges of delegations between Punjab and China and strengthening people-to-people contacts. The participants also discussed development, regional stability and enhanced cooperation in line with China’s international strategy.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Punjab was Pakistan’s largest province in terms of agricultural production and played a key role in meeting the country’s requirements for wheat, maize, sugarcane and rice. ‘Punjab wants to benefit from Xinjiang’s experience in corporate farming,’ she said.
The CM said the Punjab government wanted to further expand cooperation with China in agriculture, industry, minerals and new technologies, adding that stronger collaboration with Chinese partners would help modernise Punjab’s agricultural sector and promote sustainable development.
