China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) expert delegation led by CNRRI Director General Prof. Cheng Shihua paid a visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi from July 23-27, 2017. It aimed to strengthen the Sino-Pakistan cooperation in rice science, especially in the field of hybrid rice.

During their stay, the delegation visited Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD), the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genomic Research at ICCBS, Tissue Culture Technologies International, Agriculture, Supply & Price Department of Sindh Province and other research institutions and the agricultural sector. On-site investigation for rice production and hybrid rice seed production was also undertaken by the delegation in Sindh Province.

On July 26, 2017, the delegation attended the inauguration ceremony of Sino-Pakistan Hybrid Rice Research Center (SPHRRC) at ICCBS which was jointly set up by CNRRI and ICCBS. This grand ceremony was inaugurated by CNRRI Director General Prof. Cheng Shihua, ICCBS Patron-in-Chief and former Chairman Higher Education Commission Pakistan Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Consul General of China in Karachi Wang Yu, Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Prof. Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Director ICCBS Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary. Prof. Cheng said at the ceremony that the establishment of SPHRRC is a starting point for CNRRI and ICCBS to establish strong, close collaboration relationship in rice S & T. He expected SPHRRC will become a good cooperation platform for technical training, exchange of researchers, information sharing and joint research to further promote development of CNRRI technologies and varieties in Pakistan. Meanwhile, CNRRI will provide more training chances for Pakistani rice scientists in the future through close cooperation in the training or degree-education programs to modernize Pakistan’s rice research activities in line with mutual national requirements.

In Karachi, Cheng respectively met with Director ICCBS Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary and the Minister of Agriculture, Supply & Price Department, Sindh Province, Mr. Sohail Anwar Siyal and held bilateral talks for close collaboration. These in-depth discussions covered variety testing, personnel training, technology exchange, joint research, etc. Consensus was reached at the short-term, medium-term and long-term development goals of SPHRRC.

Moreover, the experts from CNRRI and ICCBS jointly held an academic seminar at ICCBS. Prof. Zhuang Jieyun, Prof. Wu Jianli and Prof. Wang Kejian from CNRRI presented their recent research progresses in rice genetics and biotechnology. Promising future prospect in rice science cooperation is unveiled through these academic exchanges.