（下边有中文翻译请继续看到底。 谢谢。）
Cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep have traditionally dominated Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sector. These animals have formed the backbone of rural livelihoods for decades, serving as sources of food, employment, and raw materials. Yet, a new chapter is unfolding — one that places an unlikely animal, the donkey, at the center of a transformative economic opportunity. Long overlooked, even ridiculed, donkeys are gaining recognition for their economic value in trade, innovation, and rural development.
This shift was underscored at the China-Pakistan Donkey Industry Development Forum, held recently in Islamabad under the theme “Creating Opportunities Together, Winning the Future Together.” Co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan and Sangyang Industrial (Beijing) Group, the forum brought together policymakers, scholars and business leaders to explore the immense untapped potential of this sector.
What was once an ignored, even taboo, industry is now being elevated to the level of strategic economic planning. Pakistan’s government is finally recognizing what China has long known: donkey products represent a multi-billion-dollar market, and Pakistan, with its large donkey population, is uniquely positioned to benefit.
Why donkeys matter: China’s surging demand
Globally, China stands as the single largest consumer of donkey products. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and a growing middle class, the demand for donkey meat and related products has surged in recent years. In Chinese cuisine, donkey meat is considered a delicacy, often described as more tender and flavorful than beef. Its nutritional profile — rich in protein and iron, yet low in fat — makes it an increasingly popular choice among health-conscious consumers.
Beyond meat, donkey skin is highly sought after for producing ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine believed to improve blood circulation, boost immunity, and enhance vitality. Similarly, donkey fat, bone,s and other by-products are used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. According to industry estimates, China requires at least 5 million donkey hides annually, yet domestic supply falls drastically short.
This gap has opened opportunities for countries like Pakistan to step in. Pakistan holds a comparative advantage with one of the world’s largest donkey populations, estimated at 5.7 million donkeys. Properly developed, this industry can channel billions of dollars in exports, simultaneously uplifting rural farmers and stabilizing the national economy.
From neglect to strategic priority
For decades, donkeys in Pakistan were valued only as beasts of burden, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions. They were critical in transporting goods, water, and agricultural produce, yet were dismissed in policy circles. Donkey meat was never consumed domestically due to cultural and religious sensitivities; thus, the animal’s economic dimension was largely ignored.
This mindset is now changing. As part of its wider agricultural modernization agenda, the Pakistani government has begun giving due weightage to donkey farming. Senior officials, including those from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, have stressed the donkey industry’s need for standardization, scalability, and industrialization. The issuance of clear export policies, regulations to curb illegal slaughter, and cooperation agreements with Chinese partners reflect a newfound seriousness.
In addition, initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Joint Laboratory for Donkey Industry Innovation, memorandums of understanding with veterinary universities, and collaborative breeding programs are setting the groundwork for a structured, sustainable industry.
Addressing concerns and misconceptions
The idea of exporting donkey meat and by-products is not without controversy in Pakistan. Given that donkey meat is taboo in local culture, some fear that such initiatives may lead to unethical practices or domestic infiltration of donkey meat into local markets.
However, government oversight and strict regulation can address these concerns. Already, the Ministry of National Food Security & Research has pledged to curb illegal slaughter and ensure all exports meet international standards. Furthermore, industry declarations signed at the forum commit Chinese investors to respect Pakistan’s cultural and religious sensitivities.
In reality, the donkey industry is no different from other livestock industries, where products are raised for export markets that have distinct demands. Just as Pakistan exports beef, mutton, and poultry to Gulf countries with varying halal requirements, donkey products can be tailored exclusively for Chinese consumers.
Strategic bilateral partnership
China’s willingness to invest in Pakistan’s donkey industry also reflects the broader trajectory of China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation. Agricultural collaboration is emerging as a new pillar of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, alongside infrastructure and energy.
By investing in donkey farming, China is not only satisfying domestic demand but also supporting Pakistan’s rural economy. The establishment of joint laboratories, academic partnerships, and business agreements indicates a long-term vision. This is not merely trade; it is technology transfer, capacity building, and shared prosperity.
A transformative opportunity
In an era where Pakistan is struggling with foreign debt, declining reserves, and rural poverty, the donkey industry offers a surprisingly powerful solution. What was once dismissed as irrelevant is now emerging as a strategic economic asset. With China’s growing demand and Pakistan’s large donkey population, the opportunity is ripe to turn this overlooked animal into a source of prosperity.
The recent Islamabad forum demonstrated not only the seriousness of both governments but also the shared vision of creating a sustainable, innovative, and ethical industry. If pursued with the same vigor as poultry or dairy, the donkey sector could become a billion-dollar pillar of Pakistan’s export economy.
The time has come for Pakistan to shed old taboos and embrace new opportunities. The donkey —humble, resilient, and long ignored — may yet prove to be a game-changer for Pakistan’s rural development and economic revival.
巴基斯坦驴子产业潜力巨大
牛、水牛、山羊和绵羊传统上主导着巴基斯坦的农业和畜牧业。几十年来，这些动物一直是农村生计的支柱，是食物、就业和原材料的来源。然而，一个新的篇章正在展开——一个将一种不太可能出现的动物——驴——置于变革经济机会中心的篇章。驴在贸易、创新和农村发展方面的经济价值长期被忽视，甚至被嘲笑。
最近在伊斯兰堡举行的中巴驴业发展论坛强调了这一转变，该论坛的主题是“共同创造机会，共同赢得未来”。该论坛由巴基斯坦中国商会和桑阳工业（北京）集团共同主办，汇聚了政策制定者、学者和商界领袖，共同探讨该领域尚未开发的巨大潜力。
这个曾经被忽视甚至是禁忌的行业，现在正被提升到战略经济规划的水平。巴基斯坦政府终于认识到中国早就知道的事情：驴产品代表着数十亿美元的市场，而拥有大量驴群的巴基斯坦处于独特的有利地位。
驴为什么重要：中国需求激增
在全球范围内，中国是驴产品的最大单一消费国。随着中国人口超过14亿，中产阶级不断壮大，对驴肉及相关产品的需求近年来激增。在中国菜中，驴肉被认为是一种美味，通常被描述为比牛肉更嫩、更美味。它的营养成分——富含蛋白质和铁，但脂肪含量低——使它成为越来越受注重健康的消费者欢迎的选择。
除了肉之外，驴皮还因生产阿胶而备受追捧。阿胶是一种被认为能改善血液循环、增强免疫力和增强活力的传统中药。同样，驴的脂肪、骨头和其他副产品也被用于制药和化妆品行业。据业内估计，中国每年至少需要500万张驴皮，但国内供应严重不足。
这一差距为巴基斯坦等国家提供了介入的机会。巴基斯坦是世界上驴数量最多的国家之一，估计有570万头驴。如果发展得当，这个行业可以引导数十亿美元的出口，同时提高农村农民的生活水平，稳定国民经济。
从忽视到战略优先
几十年来，在巴基斯坦，尤其是在农村和欠发达地区，驴被认为是驮畜。它们在运输货物、水和农产品方面起着至关重要的作用，但在政策圈却被忽视了。由于文化和宗教敏感性，驴肉从未在国内消费；因此，动物的经济价值在很大程度上被忽视了。
这种心态现在正在改变。作为其更广泛的农业现代化议程的一部分，巴基斯坦政府已经开始给予驴子养殖应有的重视。包括国家食品安全与研究部在内的高级官员强调，驴产业需要标准化、可扩展性和工业化。出台明确的出口政策、遏制非法屠宰的法规，以及与中国合作伙伴达成的合作协议，都反映出一种新的严肃态度。
此外，诸如中巴驴产业创新联合实验室、与兽医大学的谅解备忘录以及合作育种项目等倡议正在为一个结构化、可持续的产业奠定基础。
解决问题和误解
在巴基斯坦，出口驴肉及其副产品的想法并非没有争议。鉴于驴肉在当地文化中是禁忌，一些人担心这些举措可能会导致不道德的行为或国内驴肉渗透到当地市场。
然而，政府的监督和严格的监管可以解决这些问题。国家食品安全与研究部已经承诺遏制非法屠宰，并确保所有出口符合国际标准。此外，论坛上签署的行业声明承诺中国投资者尊重巴基斯坦的文化和宗教敏感性。
实际上，驴业与其他畜牧业没有什么不同，它们的产品是为有明确需求的出口市场而生产的。就像巴基斯坦向海湾国家出口牛肉、羊肉和家禽一样，这些国家有不同的清真要求，驴产品也可以专门为中国消费者量身定制。
战略双边伙伴关系
中国愿意投资巴基斯坦驴业，也反映了中巴经济合作的发展轨迹。农业合作正成为中巴经济走廊的新支柱，与基础设施和能源合作齐头并进。
通过投资驴业，中国不仅满足了国内需求，也支持了巴基斯坦农村经济。建立联合实验室、学术伙伴关系和商业协议表明了一个长期的愿景。这不仅仅是贸易；它是技术转让、能力建设和共同繁荣。
变革的机会
在巴基斯坦与外债、外汇储备下降和农村贫困作斗争的时代，驴业提供了一个令人惊讶的强大解决方案。曾经被视为无关紧要的东西，如今正成为一项战略经济资产。随着中国日益增长的需求和巴基斯坦庞大的驴群，将这种被忽视的动物变成繁荣之源的机会已经成熟。
最近的伊斯兰堡论坛不仅表明了两国政府的严肃态度，也表明了两国对创建一个可持续、创新和合乎道德的行业的共同愿景。如果能像家禽和奶制品一样积极发展，毛驴行业可能成为巴基斯坦出口经济中价值数十亿美元的支柱。
现在是巴基斯坦摆脱旧禁忌、拥抱新机遇的时候了。这种谦卑、坚韧、长期被忽视的驴子，可能会成为巴基斯坦农村发展和经济复兴的游戏规则改变者。
( 注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)
Reference Link:- https://en.people.cn/n3/2025/0919/c98649-20368518.html