By Zafar Hussain

BEIJING, May 26 (China Economic Net)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday visited the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in Beijing, where he called for transformative partnership between Pakistan and China in agriculture, research, innovation, and rural development.

During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was conferred an honorary professorship of CAAS, in recognition of his efforts to promote Pakistan-China cooperation and agricultural modernization.

Addressing scientists, students, and officials at the National Agricultural Library of CAAS, the Prime Minister described the institution as a “world-renowned center for agricultural research and development,” respected not only in China but across the world.

He said Pakistan and China were entering a new phase of cooperation under CPEC 2.0, with agriculture emerging as a priority sector for economic transformation.

“Together, we can turn our iron-clad brotherhood into a great economic transformation and an agricultural revolution,” he remarked.

During the ceremony, CAAS President Prof. Huang Sanwen briefed the Pakistani delegation on the academy’s research achievements and potential for cooperation. Pakistan’s National Food Security and Research Coordinator, Ahmad Umair, also presented Pakistan’s agricultural priorities and opportunities for bilateral collaboration.

According to the official agenda, the Prime Minister also visited the National Crop Genebank, where Chinese experts presented advances in seed preservation, crop research, and agricultural biotechnology.

In his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of revitalizing Pakistan’s agricultural research institutions and proposed enhanced institutional cooperation between CAAS and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).

He suggested that CAAS take a leading role in supporting and managing collaborative agricultural research initiatives in Pakistan on a medium- to long-term basis.

The Prime Minister also announced a major initiative to send 1,000 fresh agricultural graduates from all four provinces of Pakistan to Chinese universities for advanced agricultural training and modern scientific education.

The program, he said, would be conducted purely on merit and aimed at equipping Pakistani youth with cutting-edge agricultural knowledge and technologies.

Addressing Pakistani students studying in China, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called them the “shining stars of Pakistan” and urged them to contribute to the modernization of Pakistan’s agriculture sector upon their return.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. If we want to holistically transform our economy, it has to begin with agriculture,” he stated.