Pakistan-China ties unshakeable: Zardari

SHANGHAI: President Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan-China ties are unshakeable, saying that while spoilers and hostile elements may try to harm the relationship, they will never succeed. He stressed that the bilateral friendship will continue to grow from generation-to-generation.

The president was talking to Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Shanghai, Chen Jining on Tuesday. He was accomapnied by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

In a statement from the Presidency, Chen Jining welcomed President Zardari and said, “if you ask any Chinese about Pakistan, they will always say Pakistan is our all-weather friend and iron brother. “He recalled the president’s productive meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier this year, and the recent visit of Pakistan’s president and his delegation. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, and China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong were also present. On the Chinese side, the meeting was attended by Hua Yuan, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary General of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee Zhu Zhaokai, the President of Shanghai Electric, and other senior officials.

The president also met Yin Tongyue, Chairman of the Board of Chery Holding Co.,Ltd.and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd, in Shanghai. President Zardari assured the Chairman that the Government of Pakistan would provide policy support for new energy vehicles, electric buses and local production of components.

He encouraged Chery to explore joint ventures in electric buses, mini trucks, green energy solutions and charging infrastructure. He also highlighted opportunities for collaboration with Pakistani companies in manufacturing, minerals and energy storage solutions. Yin briefed the president and his delegation on Chery Auto’s global operations, its commitment to technological innovation, and its achievements in international markets. President thanked Yin for his detailed briefing and welcomed Chery Auto’s growing interest in Pakistan. He appreciated the company’s plans to introduce electric buses and pursue localisation, noting that these steps would help generate employment opportunities for young people in the country.

The president also witnessed the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at advancing Pakistan’s agricultural, environmental and mass transit initiatives.

The first MoU related to the development of a Controlled Agriculture Science and Education Park to enhance agricultural production efficiency and strengthen food security. The signatories were Shanghai Huawei Agritech Group, Meskay & Femtee Trading Company, with Shahid Tawawalla representing the Pakistani side.

The second MoU was a tripartite memorandum for the construction of Shennong College, a vocational institute in Pakistan that will provide advanced integrated technology and training to farmers. The signatories included Longping High-Tech Information Technology (Beijing) Company, Limited (Chairman Chen Zhixin), Beijing Jialong Technology Company, Limited (Vice Chairman Jialong), and ASM Services represented by Shahid Tawawalla. The third MoU was about a Tyre Recycling Project, promoting environmentally sustainable waste management practices. The signatories were Maritime Silk Road Holdings (Qingdao) Company, Limited, represented by Cheng Long, and ASM Services represented by Shahid Tawawalla.

Expressing his views on the occasion President Zardari said these MoUs reflect a practical step towards strengthened cooperation between Pakistan and China in agriculture, technology, and environmental management.

The president also met CEO and Co-founder of SUS Environment Technology Company Limited, Zhu Xiaoping, a leading Chinese waste management company. Discussions focused on urban waste management, waste-to-energy projects and integrated treatment solutions. He underlined Pakistan’s need for modern waste management systems, especially in Sindh, and welcomed the prospect of cooperation. Zhu shared SUS Environment’s experience in advanced waste treatment and expressed interest for investment in Pakistan.

These meetings were also attended by First Lady Bibi Aseefa, Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi and China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong along with Sindh Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah were also present.

Earlier, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, held meetings with delegations from Wontai Power and China State Construction Engineering Corporation in Shanghai. He highlighted that rapid economic growth would be impossible without adopting renewable energy sources.

During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on potential investments in renewable energy, as well as digital and green infrastructure sectors. In his meeting with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation delegation, Bilawal praised the company’s pivotal role in executing major construction projects worldwide. He was briefed on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, digital, and green infrastructure projects, and commended CSCEC’s contributions to significant global developments.

In discussions with the Wontai Power delegation, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasised that environmentally friendly energy sources are essential for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. The talks focused on investment opportunities in Pakistan’s renewable energy sector. The Wontai delegation briefed him on the vast potential of solar energy in the country.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underscored that achieving rapid economic growth would be impossible without adopting renewable energy sources. He stressed that clean and sustainable energy solutions were crucial not only for development but also for effectively tackling climate change. He said the Sindh government had already initiated major solar energy projects to expand Pakistan’s renewable energy base. Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon and Provincial Energy Minister Nasir Shah accompanied the PPP Chairman during the meetings.