Why is China importing donkeys from Pakistan?
By: TOI Lifestyle Desk
As borders become more stringent and the global supply of many resources and commodities is dominated by a few nations, strategic partnerships play an important role in today’s world. Such relationships allow countries to overcome resource constraints, bolster economic resilience, and gain leverage on the world stage. In this context, Pakistan’s recent agreement to export meat and hides from 200,000 donkeys annually to China marks a new milestone in the already forged alliance between the two nations.
Dr. Ikram, an official from Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, confirmed this new agreement during an interview with ‘Independent Urdu’. Under the agreement, Pakistan has committed to supplying 216,000 donkey hides and meat annually. However, China is further seeking to expand this arrangement by proposing the establishment of slaughterhouses near Karachi Port.
For the sole purpose of exporting, new slaughterhouses are being built in Gwadar. According to recent surveys, Pakistan is currently home to an estimated 5.2 million donkeys, making it the third largest population in the world. Pakistan is expected to earn millions from the trade, which will come as a welcome relief given the political and economic unrest in the country since 2022. China, with its high demand for donkey hides for traditional medicines like ejiao, and Pakistan, with a growing livestock sector, both stand to benefit economically.
Why is China importing donkey hides and meat?
China imports donkeys from Pakistan primarily to meet the rising demand for ejiao, a traditional medicine made from donkey-hide gelatin. Ejiao is highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine for its supposed health benefits, which include improving blood circulation, enhancing skin quality, and treating various ailments. However, China’s own donkey population has seen a sharp decline due to increased demand and a lack of sustainable breeding practices.
What is Ejiao?
Ejiao is a traditional Chinese medicine made from the collagen extracted from donkey skin. It’s a hard gel that can be dissolved in hot water or alcohol and used in food, drink,
or beauty products like face creams. Believed to improve blood circulation, ejiao is used as a blood tonic for conditions like anemia, low blood cell counts, and reproductive issues
Additionally, in China’s Hebei province, donkey meat is a popular delicacy. Donkey meat burgers, ‘lǘròu huǒshāo’ in Chinese, are a popular street food and specialty in the cities of Baoding and Hejian.
To overcome this gap, China had to look outward for help. Pakistan, with its significant donkey population, became China’s key partner. China has been ‘helping’ Pakistan overcome its crisis by providing a significant amount of loans. According to data from 2022, Pakistan has $26.6 billion (€24.6 billion) worth of Chinese debt, more than any other country in the world.
What other imports does China make from Pakistan?
China imports various goods from Pakistan, including copper ($1.17 billion), cotton ($764.4 million), ores and slag ($325.17 million), oil seeds and grains ($295.47 million), fish and crustaceans ($227.18 million), knit apparel ($87.99 million), cereals ($80.57 million), mineral fuels ($78.49 million), aluminum ($75.42 million), and raw hides and leather ($31.22 million). These imports highlight the strategic trade relationship between the two countries, supporting economic ties and mutual growth.
