WUHAN, China (Oct 14): Marking 75 years of enduring diplomatic ties, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with top leadership of China’s Hubei province on Wednesday to forge broader provincial-level collaboration in agriculture, information technology, education, and vocational training.
Leading a high-level delegation during his official visit to Wuhan, CM Shah held comprehensive talks with Hubei Governor Li Dianxun and provincial Communist Party Secretary Guan Xiaotao. The discussions focused on translating the decades-old Pakistan-China friendship into tangible socioeconomic development projects, enhancing trade, and boosting people-to-people exchanges.
Hubei leadership pledges closer ties
Welcoming the Sindh Chief Minister and his delegation to Wuhan, Hubei Governor Li Dianxun lauded the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China, describing it as an unbreakable bond of mutual trust and strategic cooperation.
Governor Li expressed Hubei’s strong commitment to deepening sub-national cooperation with Sindh, noting that the province’s robust industrial base, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and world-class research institutions offer massive potential for joint ventures. He assured the delegation that Hubei is keen to expand collaboration in modern agriculture, digital industries, vocational training, and business-to-business partnerships, paving the way for mutually beneficial growth under the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Strengthening CPEC Phase-II
Emphasizing that the Pakistan-China alliance remains the cornerstone of Islamabad’s foreign policy, CM Shah noted that the relationship has successfully weathered all regional and global challenges. He highlighted the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations- formally established on May 21, 1951 – and expressed pride that Pakistan was among the first nations to recognize the People’s Republic of China.
Mr. Shah welcomed Hubei enterprises to actively participate in the next phase of CPEC, particularly focusing on green growth, agricultural modernization, and skills development.
Focus on Agriculture
Agriculture emerged as a focal point of the discussions. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to China for training 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates, many of whom studied at Huazhong Agricultural University. He welcomed ongoing partnerships in horticultural crop research and the establishment of a joint laboratory for smart and digital agriculture.
Highlighting Sindh’s potential in agricultural production, Mr. Shah sought Hubei’s expertise in hybrid rice, high-yield seed development, and farm mechanization. He stressed the need for advanced cold-chain logistics to minimise post-harvest losses for Sindh’s high-quality fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and fisheries, thereby improving market access.
Tech, Education and vocational training
To boost innovation, the Chief Minister proposed linking Wuhan-based tech incubators and investors with Sindh’s startups through joint incubation programs. He also invited Chinese firms to invest in pilot projects spanning port logistics, industrial automation, and urban traffic management in Karachi.
In the education sector, Mr. Shah called for enhanced university-to-university linkages in engineering and digital technologies, alongside joint technical and vocational training (TVET) initiatives to equip Sindh’s youth with market-driven skills for modern manufacturing.
Concluding the visit, both sides expressed confidence that the enhanced engagement between Sindh and Hubei will further strengthen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
