Beijing/Islamabad: In an era where global supply chains are increasingly controlled by a handful of nations, strategic partnerships have become vital for overcoming resource constraints and enhancing economic resilience. A notable example of this is Pakistan’s recent agreement to export donkey meat and hides to China, marking a significant milestone in the growing alliance between the two countries.
Dr. Ikram from Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research confirmed this agreement during an interview with Independent Urdu. Under the terms, Pakistan will supply China with 216,000 donkey hides and meat annually. Additionally, China is looking to expand this partnership by proposing the establishment of slaughterhouses near Karachi Port, specifically for export purposes. New slaughterhouses are also being constructed in Gwadar to facilitate this trade.
Pakistan boasts an estimated 5.2 million donkeys, ranking it as the country with the third-largest donkey population in the world. This trade is expected to generate substantial revenue for Pakistan, providing a much-needed economic boost amid ongoing political and economic instability since 2022. China’s high demand for donkey hides, used in traditional medicines such as ejiao, aligns perfectly with Pakistan’s burgeoning livestock sector.
Reasons Behind China’s Import of Donkey Hides and Meat
China primarily imports donkeys from Pakistan to fulfill its soaring demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey-hide gelatin. Valued for its purported health benefits—including improved blood circulation, enhanced skin quality, and treatment for various ailments—ejiao has seen an increase in demand that has outstripped China’s own donkey population, which has sharply declined due to unsustainable breeding practices.
Also Read | Washington Post Reveals Elon Musk’s Brief Illegal Work Status in the U.S. During the 1990s
Moreover, donkey meat has become a popular delicacy in China’s Hebei province, with dishes like donkey meat burgers, known as lǘròu huǒshāo, featuring prominently as street food in cities like Baoding and Hejian.
Also Read | Revolutionizing Intimacy: The Digital Condom App by Billy Boy
Faced with these challenges, China has turned to Pakistan, leveraging its vast donkey population as a crucial partner in meeting demand. This relationship has been mutually beneficial, as China has provided substantial loans to Pakistan, which, as of 2022, amounted to $26.6 billion (€24.6 billion), making Pakistan the most indebted country to China globally.
