Amid airport delays and an unopened port, China and Pakistan, known as "all-weather allies," are now engaging in "donkey diplomacy" at Gwadar, the centerpiece of their CPEC project, as reported by The Print.
The report notes that port city now hosts Pakistan's first $7 million slaughterhouse, created to fulfill China's demand for donkey meat, bones, and hides.
Operated by China's Hangeng Trade Company, the facility has sparked concern in a country where donkeys are primarily used for transport and are considered sacred in certain Islamic traditions.
Located in Gwadar, this facility will process over 300,000 donkey hides annually to produce ejiao, a traditional remedy made from donkey collagen believed to improve blood circulation, boost immunity, and prevent cancer.
Ejiao, made from the collagen in donkey hides, holds a market value of about $8 billion annually, with China being the largest consumer.
The decision to set up a donkey slaughterhouse in Gwadar represents a controversial shift in Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Although donkey meat consumption is prohibited in the Muslim-majority country, Pakistan’s donkey population continues to grow, reaching an estimated 5.5 million in 2024, the highest in the world.
In January of this year, reports indicate that Pakistan’s national assembly’s standing committee on food security, led by Rana Muhammad Hayat, was briefed on the project. According to officials from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the export of donkey by-products is more viable than live donkey exports due to logistical challenges.
The decision has sparked controversy, with religious leaders and local residents in Gwadar opposing the slaughter of donkeys, which are a crucial means of transport in rural areas. Since donkey meat is prohibited in Islam, there are concerns about the potential impact on Pakistan’s donkey population.
While this business venture meets China's growing demand for donkey products, it has sparked both domestic and international concerns about sustainability and ethical issues.
The Donkey Sanctuary states that 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered each year to supply global demand for products such as ejiao. With the African Union banning donkey skin exports, China has shifted to relying more on Pakistan for hides.
This surge in demand threatens donkey populations, with fears of increased smuggling and theft, potentially driving the species toward extinction.
The Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2023-24 reports that the country's donkey population has increased from 5.5 million in the 2019-2020 fiscal year to 5.9 million in 2023-2024, according to The Print.
This isn't Pakistan's first instance of exporting animal products banned for local consumption. In the 2015-16 fiscal year, Pakistan exported $2.8 million worth of pork to Afghanistan for NATO personnel. Additionally, central bank data shows $447,000 worth of pork was exported in 2016-17.
Although there is growing demand for donkey products in China, Islamic dietary laws prohibit the consumption of donkey meat in Pakistan. The government has made sure the meat will only be exported and not consumed domestically, as reported by local media.
Gwadar, once seen as a potential rival to Singapore’s shipping industry, has faced difficulties in fulfilling its promises. The port and new airport have struggled with underuse, limited demand, and poor infrastructure, compounded by political instability in Balochistan, hindering economic growth and dampening CPEC project expectations.
The airport and deep-sea port are central to the $65 billion CPEC initiative, aimed at boosting trade and regional ties. Strategically located on the Arabian Sea, the airport is meant to support Gwadar port, which is key to connecting China’s Xinjiang region with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa through railways, highways, and pipelines.
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