Zardari pushes deeper industrial ties with China

Visits SANY Heavy Industry, tea company in Hunan province

ISLAMABAD:

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday visited an industrial complex and a tea plantation in China, emphasizing the importance of strengthening industrial cooperation and expanding partnerships in technology and innovation between the two countries.

Zardari, who began his week-long visit to China on Saturday, visited SANY Heavy Industry, located in the Changsha area of Hunan Province.

SANY Group Chairman Tang Xiuguo welcomed the president and briefed him on the company's advanced manufacturing systems, products, and ongoing investment in research and development. Changsha Vice Mayor Qian Lexia was also present.

The visit included a detailed review of cooperation opportunities between Pakistan and China in engineering and construction machinery, technology transfer, and investment prospects.

The president also received an in-depth presentation on the company's operations and production capacity in heavy construction machinery and related equipment.

Officials briefed the president on SANY's financial and operational performance, noting that the company recorded an operating revenue of $11.27 billion in 2024, along with continuous investment in innovation, product distribution, and R&D capabilities.

President Zardari was also taken to the company's flagship factory, known for its digitally integrated manufacturing facilities, advanced automation, and data-driven production systems. He was briefed on the factory's operations and its high standards in modern industrial manufacturing.

The president appreciated the extensive use of technology, modernization of industrial production, and efforts to improve efficiency. He also praised SANY's production capacity, quality standards, and technological capabilities.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he stressed the need to promote industrial technology, skills development, and joint ventures, stating that such partnerships could significantly support Pakistan's infrastructure and industrial growth.

He also underscored potential cooperation in construction machinery, digital manufacturing, renewable energy, and engineering sectors. SANY Chairman Tang Xiuguo reaffirmed the company's commitment to innovation, digitalization, and international partnerships, expressing interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in manufacturing, technology exchange, and capacity building.

Zardari also visited Hunan Tea Group Co, Ltd, where Hunan Tea Group Chairman Zhou Zhongwang briefed him on its operations, supply chain and international market presence.

The president was apprised of the group's end-to-end model, which brings together cultivation, processing, research, marketing and tea culture within a single industrial framework.

The briefing outlined how ecological tea garden bases, specialised production facilities and distribution systems are organised to support both domestic sales and exports.

He was informed that Hunan Tea Group functions as a coordinating platform for the province's tea sector, connecting growers, industry and research institutions with branding and market access.

During the visit, the president toured the company's history gallery and observed a presentation on tea processing and tea culture. He also attended a tea tasting session.

He noted the scope for cooperation in value addition, agro-processing and export development, and invited the Group to explore collaboration opportunities with Pakistan in these areas.

President Asif Ali Zardari also held a meeting with Hunan Province Party Secretary Shen Xiaoming and attended a banquet hosted in his honour by Hunan Governor Mao Weiming.

The engagement focused on advancing practical cooperation in agriculture, health, education and trade, while reaffirming the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations.

During the meeting, the president invited Shen Xiaoming to visit Pakistan in connection with the 75th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The president underscored that Pakistan-China ties remain a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and continue to enjoy broad-based support.

He also referred to his long-standing personal connection with China, recalling that his family, including his late father-in-law Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his late wife Benazir Bhutto, had always attached special importance to relations with China.

He said this tradition is now being carried forward by the next generation, including his son, former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.

The president emphasised Hunan's strengths in agricultural technology and equipment, noting their relevance to Pakistan's efforts to enhance productivity. He expressed interest in closer collaboration in seed technology, agricultural research and modern farming practices.

The president highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral trade in areas such as agricultural machinery, minerals processing, and information and communication technologies. Regional situation also came under discussion.

Expressing his views at the banquet, Hunan Governor Mao Weiming described Pakistan and China as good friends, good neighbours, good partners and good brothers. He stated that Hunan province would continue to contribute sincerely to the development of CPEC 2.0.

In his remarks, Zardari said Hunan holds a special place as the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, whose legacy continues to resonate.

He observed that the idea that power rests with the people remains deeply admired by Pakistanis. Reflecting on his personal connection with China, he noted that he first visited the country in 1989 and that his affinity for China has grown stronger over time.

He said the people of Pakistan and China are bound by deep-rooted ties and expressed confidence that their hearts would always remain close to each other. He noted significant potential for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Hunan province, particularly in areas observed during the visit.

Speaking at the banquet, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong remarked that the president's decision to visit Hunan reflects his special regard for Chairman Mao.

He noted that Pakistan and China are expanding collaboration in agriculture, industry and minerals, and expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation, bring the two peoples closer and add significance to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Senator Saleem Mandviwalla; Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Ali Hassan Barohi, Special Assistant to the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Sindh chief secretary and Pakistan Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi were also present on the occasion.