China’s Donkey Slaughterhouse in Gwadar: A New Chapter for CPEC?
China’s $7 Million Slaughterhouse in Gwadar Stirs Hope and Controversy
Pakistan is banking on an unexpected ally to boost its struggling economy—donkeys. In a move that has left many surprised and others amused, China’s Hangeng Trade Company has opened a $7 million donkey slaughterhouse in Gwadar, a city once touted as the next Singapore but now known more for its underused port and idle international airport.
This new venture aims to supply over 300,000 donkey hides annually for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine that promises to enrich blood, enhance immunity, and even prevent cancer. With China’s ejiao market estimated at $8 billion, Pakistan hopes to cash in on the lucrative demand. But the move is not without controversy.
Economic Revival or Cultural Misstep?
The decision to establish a donkey slaughterhouse in Gwadar has sparked debate and even laughter among locals. In a region where donkeys are traditionally used for transportation and are culturally revered, the idea of slaughtering them has raised eyebrows. As one local joke goes, “The port didn’t work, the airport didn’t take off, so now they’re betting on donkeys.”
Controversy and Cultural Clash
While the potential economic benefits are significant, the cultural and religious implications are equally profound. In Muslim-majority Pakistan, donkey meat is prohibited, making the idea of a donkey slaughterhouse deeply controversial. Additionally, environmentalists are raising concerns about the impact on the global donkey population, warning that increased demand could lead to extinction.
Despite the backlash, the slaughterhouse has received the green light and is set to export donkey hides to China, where ejiao is not only used as medicine but also consumed as a snack. Local religious leaders have voiced opposition, but the controversy has been overshadowed by bigger issues in Gwadar, including infrastructure challenges and economic instability.
A Gamble on Gwadar’s Future
The launch of the slaughterhouse represents a high-stakes gamble for Gwadar. As Muhammad Shoaib, a postdoctoral fellow at George Mason University, put it, “Symbolically, [the slaughterhouse] will draw a negative reaction in Pakistan. It will be very difficult to convince Pakistanis that it is even a proper business.” Yet, for a city struggling to find its economic identity, this could be the one business that actually works.
Will donkeys be the unlikely saviors of Gwadar’s economy, or is this just another miscalculation in Pakistan’s economic strategy?