Waseem Raza prepares to have a meal at his apartment in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025.
Waseem Raza, a 45-year-old Pakistani, works as an associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS). He pursued doctoral degree at Nanjing Agricultural University and joined the university as a faculty member until 2024. This year, he is recruited by the CATAS Sanya Research Institute through a high-level talent program, embarking on a new career.
Waseem researches on soil ecology, soil microbiology, and the interaction mechanisms between plants and soil microorganisms, with a focus on the prevention and control of banana Fusarium wilt. To him, CATAS boasts advanced technology and rich experience in banana research, highlighted by its cultivation of Fusarium wilt-resistant varieties and bio-organic fertilizer R&D.
Bananas is a key crop in Pakistan, which is also troubled by diseases like banana Fusarium wilt. Waseem believes China and Pakistan have a solid foundation for agricultural cooperation and share a broad potential for collaboration in banana cultivation and disease control.
"I'm studying bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can promote plant growth and inhibit pathogens," Waseem said, adding that he has completed technical research in the lab and plans to roll it out to the field in the near future.
Waseem has been in China for over 20 years and decides to stay in Sanya, as it has well-equipped laboratories that can meet scientific research needs, as well as its beautiful environment and sound climate conditions. "I hope to do in-depth research and make more scientific research achievements," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza observes banana plants in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza works at the office in a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza heads to a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza poses for a photo at a banana test field in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza shares research findings with his colleagues and students in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza poses for a photo at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza (1st L) works at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza shares research findings with his colleagues and students in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza shares research findings with his colleagues and students in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza observes a diseased banana plant in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza poses for a photo at a banana test field in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza works at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza works at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza works at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza talks with his colleague at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza poses for a photo at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza (R) observes a banana plant at a banana test field in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza works at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza shops at a supermarket in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza (2nd R) talks with his colleague at a tropical crop breeding lab of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
Waseem Raza cooks at his apartment in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, July 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
