China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is a 3,000 km Chinese infrastructure network project currently under construction in Pakistan

Xinjiang Resumes Pakistani Seafood Imports After Two-Year Hiatus, Bolstering Regional Trade

CHINA
Monday, August 11, 2025, 00:00 (GMT + 9)

First Shipment Arrives at Urumqi Airport as Broader Seafood Exports to China See Significant Growth

BEIJING — China’s Xinjiang region has resumed seafood imports from Pakistan after a two-year suspension, a move that is being hailed as a significant step in strengthening regional trade ties. The resumption follows a surge in Pakistan's overall seafood exports to China in the first half of 2025, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China.

The first shipment, a 1,292-kilogram consignment of fresh seafood, arrived at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport on a China Southern Airlines flight from Islamabad. The cargo included popular varieties such as black pomfret, prawns, hairtail, and grouper, signaling the reopening of the airport’s designated inspection site for inbound aquatic products.

The direct air route is a critical development for Xinjiang, a region that previously relied on seafood transported from China’s coastal provinces, which resulted in longer transit times and higher costs. This new direct shipment method ensures the delivery of fresher products and reduces expenses for both importers and consumers. The successful delivery was the result of a two-month coordination effort between importers, customs officials, and airport authorities, who worked to streamline inspections and compliance.

The resumption of trade is part of a broader trend of growing marine commerce between China and Pakistan. Reports indicate a notable increase in several Pakistani seafood exports to China in the first half of 2025. This includes a 26% rise in frozen fish exports and a 63% jump in frozen octopus exports. The data reflects the increasing popularity of Pakistan’s high-quality deep-sea seafood with Chinese consumers.

Looking ahead, the Xinjiang Airport Group plans to expand its capabilities by applying for official designation to import a wider range of edible aquatic animals. By leveraging its extensive network across Asia, Europe, and Africa, the group aims to bring a variety of fresh global products—including cherries, lobsters, and salmon—directly to local markets in Xinjiang. This move is seen as a key component of China's strategy to diversify its food import sources and strengthen economic corridors like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

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