LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday had a meeting with Chen Xiaojiang, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, livestock and other sectors.
Chen Xiaojiang warmly welcomed the chief minister, who thanked him for the warm 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.
According to a message received here, the two sides agreed to promote partnership in agriculture, irrigation and livestock sectors. They also agreed on adopting advanced aerial vehicles, modern water levelling techniques and digital crop monitoring systems to promote agriculture.
The meeting held detailed discussions on prospects for cooperation in agricultural irrigation, mechanisation and livestock. Maryam offered Chinese authorities cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, water-efficient irrigation and livestock development.
The two sides also agreed on the use of tested Chinese seeds to improve agricultural productivity. The meeting stressed the need to promote exchanges of delegations between Punjab and China and strengthen people-to-people contacts.
Discussions also covered development, regional stability and enhanced cooperation in line with China’s international strategy.
She 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 chief minister said the Punjab government wanted to further expand cooperation with China in agriculture, industry, minerals and new technologies.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026