Pakistan and China have signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in desalination, agricultural technology and the tea industry, in a move expected to boost investment, technology transfer and economic ties between the two countries.

President Asif Ali Zardari, currently on a five-day visit to China, witnessed the signing ceremonies held in Changsha on Monday.

The first MoU was concluded between the Government of Sindh and Lucion Environmental Technology Group for collaboration on a seawater desalination project in Karachi. The project aims to enhance the city’s water supply by making seawater usable through modern technology.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and the chairman of the Chinese company represented their respective sides.

The second MoU focused on cooperation in agricultural technology. Sharjeel Inam Memon signed it on behalf of the Sindh government and Chen Zhixin, chairman of Longping High-Tech Information Company, signed for the Chinese side.

The agreement is expected to introduce modern farming techniques, improved seeds, and advanced research to enhance agricultural productivity in Sindh.

The third MoU, relating to the tea sector, was signed between MESKAY & FEMTEE Trading Company, Hunan Tea Group and Jiaolong International Technology in Hainan.

From Pakistan, Saleem Mandviwalla signed the agreement, while Zhou Chongwang and Hao Jiaolong represented the Chinese side. The agreement seeks to promote cooperation across the tea value chain, strengthen trade and investment, and enhance people-to-people contacts.

Special Assistant to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qasim Naveed Qama; Sindh Chief Secretary Ali Hassan Brohi; and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi were also present at the ceremony.

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Sitara-i-Pakistan on Professor Pan Xiangbin at a special investiture ceremony in recognition of his outstanding contributions to cardiac care and his services to patients in Pakistan.

Prof Xiangbin, an interventional cardiologist and cardiac surgeon, serves as vice president of Fuwai Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and director of the National Interventional Quality Control Center for Structural Heart Disease.

An internationally recognised expert, he has pioneered advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, including ultrasound-guided interventional techniques that allow treatment without surgery, radiation exposure or general anaesthesia.

President Zardari said these efforts had strengthened Pakistan’s healthcare capacity and demonstrated the tangible benefits of Pakistan-China cooperation.

Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Ali Hassan Brohi, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, China Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi were also present at the investiture ceremony.