China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) delegation conducted a scientific visit to Pakistan from March 9-13, headed by Deputy Director General Hu Peisong. The mission was to promote cooperation with its counterpart in Pakistan, and an MOU was reached by Hu, Atta-ur-Rahman, the founder and lifelong patron of International Center for Chemical Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, and Fayyaz Ahmed Siddiqui, the CEO of Tissue Culture Technologies International (TCTI).

During their visit, experts from CNRRI engaged in extensive discussions with representatives of ICCBC and TCTI. Two sides exchanged in-depth views on issues of common concern, such as joint research of hybrid rice and high quality rice, personnel exchange, joint doctoral training and workshop, and so on.

After that, CNRRI delegates visited the ICCBC’s HEJ Chemical Research Institute, Panjwani Analytical Testing and Analysis Services Center, Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genetics and several agricultural farms locate in Hyderabad and Thatta.

“Reports show that Pakistan is one of countries with extreme food security risk.” HU said, adding, “However, China, as Pakistan’s all-weather strategic partner and an important developing nation, is bound to help safer food of Pakistan. CNRRI would make great efforts to support Pakistan with our most advanced technology and scientific achievements.”

This visit builds a new international platform for scientific accomplishments achieved through CAAS’s Innovation Project, which is expected to boost economy such as creating numerous business opportunities for domestic enterprises, especially those of the seed industry. The MOU inked by both sides would lay a solid foundation for promoting China’s core competitiveness of agricultural science and technology.