President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday underscored the need to promote industrial technology, skills development and joint ventures with China, saying such partnerships could significantly support Pakistan’s infrastructure and industrial growth.

The president, who is on a week-long visit to China’s Hunan and Hainan provinces for engagements related to economic and trade cooperation, said Pakistan attached high importance to expanding collaboration with China in key industrial sectors.

During his visit, President Zardari visited SANY Heavy Industry in Changsha, where he stressed the importance of strengthening industrial cooperation and expanding partnerships in technology and innovation between Pakistan and China.

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

The visit included a detailed review of cooperation opportunities in engineering and construction machinery, technology transfer and investment prospects. The president was also given an in-depth presentation on the company’s operations and production capacity in heavy construction machinery and related equipment.

Officials briefed him on SANY’s financial and operational performance, noting that the company recorded an operating revenue of 11.27 billion US dollars in 2024, alongside continued investment in innovation, product distribution and R&D capabilities.

The president was also taken to the company’s flagship factory, featuring digitally integrated manufacturing systems, advanced automation and data-driven production processes. He was briefed on its operations and industrial standards.

He appreciated the extensive use of technology and modernisation in industrial production and praised SANY’s production capacity, quality standards and technological capabilities.

“Such partnerships can significantly support Pakistan’s infrastructure and industrial growth,” the president said, highlighting the need to promote industrial technology, skills development and joint ventures.

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, digitalisation and international partnerships, expressing interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in manufacturing, technology exchange and capacity building.

The president was accompanied by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Ali Hassan Bukhari, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh for Investment and Public-Private Partnership Projects Naveed Qamar, the Chief Secretary Sindh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.

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

He was informed about the group’s end-to-end model covering cultivation, processing, research, marketing and tea culture, as well as its ecological tea garden bases and distribution systems supporting domestic and export markets.

The president was told that the group functions as a coordinating platform for Hunan’s tea sector, linking growers, industry and research institutions with branding and market access.

He toured the company’s history gallery, attended a presentation on tea processing and culture, and participated in a tea tasting session.

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

The president also held a meeting with Hunan Province Party Secretary Shen Xiaoming and attended a banquet hosted by Governor Mao Weiming.

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

President Zardari invited Shen Xiaoming to visit Pakistan for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, describing Pakistan-China ties as a cornerstone of foreign policy.

He highlighted Hunan’s strengths in agricultural technology and equipment, noting potential cooperation in seed technology, agricultural research and modern farming practices, as well as trade in agricultural machinery, minerals processing and information and communication technologies.

Governor Mao Weiming described Pakistan and China as “good friends, good neighbours, good partners and good brothers,” adding that Hunan would continue to contribute to the development of CPEC 2.0.

Speaking at the banquet, President Zardari said Hunan held a special place as the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, adding that the concept of people-centric governance remained deeply respected in Pakistan.

“The people of Pakistan and China are bound by deep-rooted ties,” he said, expressing confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow.

He noted that his family had long attached importance to ties with China, a tradition now being carried forward by the next generation.

The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, said the visit reflected the president’s special regard for Chairman Mao and would further strengthen bilateral cooperation ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Officials from both sides said the engagements would help expand cooperation in agriculture, industry and minerals, and further deepen people-to-people and institutional linkages.