ISLAMABAD: China’s Shandong Province, despite having less than half of Pakistan’s population, has an economy 227.4 percent larger than Pakistan’s, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD1.48 trillion, compared with Pakistan’s USD452.1 billion.
A six-day visit to Shandong offered a striking insight into how long-term planning, industry, modern agriculture, efficient logistics and investment in human resources have helped transform the province into a major economic force.
These figures provide more than a comparison between two economies. They raise an important question for Pakistan: what can be learned from Shandong’s experience, and which of its practices can be adapted to local conditions?
This question was at the heart of my visit to Shandong as part of a delegation of the Planning Ministry for the Ninth China-Pakistan Young Workers’ Seminar Camp, held from August 31 to September 6, 2026. The visit provided an opportunity to observe the province’s economic and social systems and understand the links between industry, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and worker institutions.
China’s experience cannot simply be copied and pasted into Pakistan. The two countries have different institutions, markets, resources and regional conditions. However, the principles behind Shandong’s progress can provide useful guidance.
An economy built on diversity
During a briefing for the Pakistani delegation, Chinese officials highlighted Shandong’s economic performance. The province’s GDP growth rate was presented as 5.6 percent, compared with 3.7 percent for Pakistan. Shandong has a population of around 101 million, while Pakistan’s population is about 257 million. Its per capita income was presented at approximately USD 14,600, compared with about USD 1,901 in Pakistan.
Shandong’s economic structure is equally significant. Agriculture and fishing account for about 6.6 percent of the economy, industry and manufacturing 39.3 percent, and services 54.1 percent. This diversified structure gives the province several sources of economic activity rather than making it dependent on one sector.
The province is also strengthening its position in high-tech manufacturing, including electric vehicles, semiconductors, and lithium-ion batteries, while services and agriculture remain important parts of the economy.
For Pakistan, the importance of this approach lies in creating stronger links between different sectors. Industry needs reliable infrastructure and skilled workers, while agriculture requires storage, processing and access to markets. Services can support both.
Modernising agriculture
Shandong is one of China’s major agricultural provinces and a leading producer of grain, cotton, fruits and vegetables. Its agricultural experience is particularly relevant to Pakistan because farming is closely linked with technology, storage, food processing, transport, quality standards and markets.
Agriculture is therefore treated as part of a wider economic chain rather than simply the production of crops. Rural communities can generate income through processing, logistics, tourism and other services in addition to farming.
Pakistan has enormous agricultural potential, but much of it remains underdeveloped. Greater investment in storage facilities, cold chains, food processing, quality standards and market access could reduce losses, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen agricultural exports.
The key lesson is that increasing production alone is not enough. Farmers also need efficient systems to preserve, process and sell what they produce.
From cities to rural communities
The visit covered Jinan and Jining, which offered contrasting pictures of Shandong.
Jinan, the provincial capital, is a major political, financial and educational centre. The first three days there focused on provincial planning, economic indicators, financial coordination, worker institutions and urban affairs. The city demonstrated the importance of effective public institutions in supporting economic activity.
The role of trade unions was another important feature. Discussions highlighted workforce representation, labour coordination and employee welfare. Effective relations between workers and management can contribute to industrial stability and workplace efficiency.
The second three-day segment took the delegation to Jining, where the setting was more rural, agricultural and culturally oriented. This provided a useful contrast with Jinan and showed the importance of integrating smaller cities, counties and rural communities into the wider economy.
Culture as an economic asset
Jining’s identity is closely linked with Confucius and Mencius. Confucius, born near Qufu, has influenced Chinese education, governance, family values and social philosophy for more than two thousand years.
Today, this heritage contributes to tourism, education, cultural diplomacy and the economic identity of the region.
Pakistan also possesses a rich cultural and historical heritage, from ancient civilisations to religious and architectural sites. Yet many of these assets have not been developed into organised tourism economies.
There is considerable scope to connect heritage with local businesses, employment and tourism services. Better infrastructure and visitor facilities could allow communities around historical sites to benefit directly from increased tourism.
Connecting ports, industry and markets
Another important lesson concerns connectivity. Shandong is a coastal province with a major maritime economy, and its experience demonstrates the importance of linking ports with industrial zones, inland transport networks and agricultural supply chains.
For Pakistan, this is particularly relevant in the context of CPEC and broader infrastructure needs. Better links between ports, industrial areas, roads, railways, warehouses and agricultural markets could reduce logistical bottlenecks and improve the competitiveness of Pakistani businesses and exporters.
The value of infrastructure ultimately lies not simply in building roads or ports, but in how effectively they connect producers with consumers and domestic businesses with international markets.
Investing in people
No economy can move forward without skilled people.
The Shandong visit highlighted the importance of vocational training and constructive relations between workers and management. Pakistan needs greater emphasis on practical skills, particularly for large industrial and infrastructure projects.
A better-trained workforce can improve productivity, workplace efficiency, and the implementation of major projects.
People-to-people and professional exchanges can complement such efforts. Pakistani managers, workers and young professionals should have more opportunities to observe successful systems in practice. Direct exposure can provide practical knowledge that conferences and presentations alone cannot offer.
A lesson, not a blueprint
The most important message from Shandong is that economic strength is built over time through a combination of sound institutions, productive industries, modern agriculture, efficient logistics, skilled workers, and a strong services sector.
Pakistan does not need to replicate the Chinese model. Its task is to identify which practices can work within its own economic and institutional environment.
Shandong shows the benefits of linking different parts of the economy instead of pursuing isolated programmes. Its experience also demonstrates the value of giving rural areas, workers, agriculture and cultural assets a place in the broader economic strategy.
For Pakistan, the opportunity is to make better use of its own strengths. Modernising agriculture, improving logistics, expanding vocational training, supporting industry and developing cultural tourism could create new opportunities for employment, exports and regional prosperity.
The Shandong experience has therefore offered more than an insight into the success of one Chinese province. It provides Pakistan with an opportunity to examine its own development path and consider practical ways to turn its considerable economic potential into lasting prosperity.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026