SHANGHAI: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday met Chairman of Shanghai Electric, Wu Lei and later visited the company’s facilities in Shanghai.
He was accompanied by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.
The Chairman of Shanghai Electric gave a briefing on the company’s projects in Pakistan, including its work in Thar coal, nuclear energy, and coal-fired power plants. The president thanked him for the contribution of Shanghai Electric in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs, generating employment and supporting socio-economic development.
The president underlined the importance Pakistan attaches to the development of the Thar coal project, including the potential of coal gasification. He invited Shanghai Electric to explore further investment in the modernization of Pakistan’s transmission and distribution network.
President Zardari assured Shanghai Electric that any outstanding issues would be resolved
amicably and in a spirit of cooperation. The company’s CEO expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for the security arrangements provided to their employees working in Pakistan.
President Zardari further reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing security measures to ensure a safe and conducive environment for Chinese workers in the country. During the visit, the president was also briefed on Shanghai Electric’s history and achievements.
Founded in 1902, the company is now one of China’s leading equipment manufacturers, known globally for its innovations in energy, power, and industrial systems.
The president also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the
establishment of a Coal Gasification Plant in Thar, Sindh. The MoU was signed between MFTC Coal Gasification & Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, represented by its CEO Mr Shahid Tawawalla, and Sino Sindh Resources (Private) Ltd / Shanghai Electric, represented by its CEO Mr Lin Jigen.
This is the first coal gasification and fertiliser project based on Thar coal, which will not only
contribute to meeting the country’s energy needs but also play a vital role in supporting the
agriculture sector.
Sharjeel Memon, Minister for Information & Transport, Govt. of Sindh, and Syed Nasir Shah, Minister for P&D and Energy, Govt. of Sindh, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Jiang Zaidong and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Mr. Khalil Hashmi were also present on the occasion.
President Zardari visits memorial of first National Congress of CPC in Shanghai
President Zardari also visited the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shanghai.
Located in Shanghai’s historic French Concession, the Memorial preserves the site where the CPC held its founding congress in July 1921. The president toured the original shikumen-style building and the adjoining exhibition hall showcasing historical relics and documents.
Some 104 years ago, the Party’s first Congress was held here, attended by 13 leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong. It was here that the Party was founded, which first achieved independence, lifted China out of poverty and backwardness, and has today transformed it into a major military, technological, and economic power.
“It is an honour to visit this historical site where the Communist Party of China was founded. I convey the respect of the people of Pakistan for China’s journey to becoming a major global power. This friendship, nurtured by the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, has grown rapidly and remains an all-weather partnership. Our historic ties will continue to strengthen and flourish, President Zardari remarked in the visitors’ book.
The president appreciated the preservation of the site and noted that it offered insight into the early struggles that shaped modern China. The Memorial is recognised as a national cultural heritage site and is one of Shanghai’s leading historical landmarks.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sharjeel Memon, Minister for Information & Transport, Govt. of Sindh, Syed Nasir Shah, Minister for P&D and Energy, Govt. of Sindh, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Mr Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Mr Khalil Hashmi were also present on the occasion.
