BEIJING: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi said on Tuesday that the Yangtze River Delta, China’s booming economic engine and manufacturing powerhouse, is emerging as a hub for potential cooperation between Pakistan and China in areas such as electric vehicles, new energy materials and semiconductors.
The ambassador’s itinerary underscored Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen deeper economic ties and explore avenues for investment and cooperation.
During his ongoing visit to Shanghai, China, Ambassador Hashmi held a series of meetings with political leaders, business elites, academics and the media, highlighting the city’s key role as a gateway to the Yangtze River Delta region.
The Yangtze River Delta, a vibrant economic region encompassing Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, has become a driving force in China’s industrial innovation and economic development.
With an area of approximately 358,000 square kilometers, the region contributes nearly a quarter of China’s GDP and more than one-third of the country’s total foreign trade, demonstrating its strategic importance in the national economy, the CEN report said.
“The Yangtze River Delta presents huge opportunities for joint ventures and cooperation between Pakistan and China,” Ambassador Hashmi emphasized, adding, “We see great potential in sectors such as electric vehicles, where China is a global leader, and new energy materials that are critical. for sustainable development. Semiconductors, the cornerstone of modern technology, also offer another promising area of collaboration.”
After Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to China last month, during which a joint statement was issued outlining 13 priority export-oriented industrial sectors for Pakistan’s development, efforts have intensified for Pakistan to attract Chinese investment.
These 13 sectors, which include but are not limited to mines and minerals, iron and steel, petrochemicals, oil and refining, agriculture, ICT, semiconductors, electric vehicles and solar panels, represent key areas where Chinese technology can be transferred to support sustainable growth in Pakistan .
To pave the way for business cooperation, Ambassador Hashmi emphasized the importance of active participation in exhibitions, conferences and events to bridge the gap between the business communities of the two countries. “The upcoming FoodAg Pakistan, scheduled to start next month in Karachi, has already attracted registrations of 220 Chinese companies. Through these arrangements, we aim to take our economic trade and investment cooperation to new heights,” he said.
Apart from business activities, Ambassador Hashmi highlighted cultural initiatives to improve mutual understanding. “This year we are planning to organize Pakistan Fashion Week in Shanghai to showcase our vibrant fashion industry and cultural heritage,” he said.
In addition, an exchange program of travel agencies is being prepared to further strengthen tourism and people-to-people contacts.
