The vast black soil of Northeast China has nurtured a cohort of key enterprises representing the nation's core heavy industries. Currently, these established state-owned enterprises are actively engaging in global competition; driven by a globalization strategy of “Going Global, Moving Upward, and Integrating Locally,” they are pursuing incremental growth in overseas markets, thereby authoring a compelling narrative of enhancing the international influence of the “Made in China” brand.

“Going Global” to Embrace the International Market

Near Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and Dammam in the Eastern Province, two combined cycle power plants, under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracting of Harbin Electric International Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as HEI), are rising from the desert. “Both the Rumah 2 and Nairyah 2 projects are designed with high-efficiency combined cycle technology and modern grid peak-regulation capabilities. Once completed, they will deliver a more stable and efficient power supply to Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region,” introduced Gao Ke, Deputy Manager of the Strategic Development Department at HEI.

The Manzanillo III project in Mexico has successfully achieved back-energization, while the Tarakan project in Indonesia has been officially awarded the Provisional Acceptance Certificate (PAC)... As a leading enterprise affiliated with Harbin Electric Corporation in China’s large-scale power engineering EPC contracting and the export of complete electromechanical equipment, HEI has continuously expanded its “circle of friends” (global network) over the years, now spanning more than 30 countries and regions including Sudan, Ecuador, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. From 2022 to 2024, HEI’s profit levels have surged by over 70% for three consecutive years, with its total profit in 2024 marking the best performance in the past eight years.

Hassyan Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Since the construction of the Guddu Power Plant in Pakistan in 1983, which marked the first time China-made large-scale power generation equipment went abroad, HEI has executed approximately 70 large-scale overseas projects to date, with a total contract value of USD 23 billion and a total installed capacity of nearly 60,000 megawatts.

According to statistics from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), Chinese enterprises signed 759 new overseas power projects in 2024, with a total contract value of USD 67.28 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 31%. Among them, HEI ranked 5th in the contract value of overseas power projects signed by Chinese enterprises in 2024 with an achievement of USD 3.299 billion, demonstrating strong development momentum in the overseas market.

In addition to key technologies, advanced integrated solutions also serve as an important driving force in facilitating the global expansion of Chinese standards. The Banten Power Plant in Indonesia, with HEI acting as the general contractor, is equipped with exactly such a “Chinese core.” The main equipment, such as boilers, steam turbines, and generators, were all manufactured and supplied by subsidiaries of Harbin Electric Corporation. Most of the auxiliary equipment was also produced in China, and the major participating construction units were all Chinese enterprises, further promoting the overseas expansion of the industrial chain. In the Rumah 2 and Nairyah 2 combined cycle projects in Saudi Arabia, Chinese products are extensively used for major equipment such as the four main piping systems and water pumps, and the civil construction and installation works are also subcontracted to Chinese enterprises, thereby enhancing the participation and recognition of Chinese-made equipment and Chinese national standards in the international market.

“Integrating Locally” to Foster Regional Development

Deeply participating in globalization aligns with the long-term strategic development plans of major national equipment manufacturers. Deeply cultivating local markets, integrating into local development, and jointly building industrial capacity with local communities have effectively driven the expansion of overseas markets.

During the long-term operation and maintenance (O&M) project at the Bhikki Power Plant in Pakistan, HEI innovated its localization model. Out of the 140-person O&M team, only two members are Chinese, with the rest being foreign employees. In Ecuador, the 900-kilometer, 500-kilovolt extra-high voltage (EHV) power transmission and transformation line constructed by HEI resolved the local north-south power transmission challenge. This project created nearly 2,700 jobs for the local community in Ecuador, trained a cohort of engineering and technical professionals, and spurred local economic and social development.

When “going global,” Chinese enterprises not only optimize infrastructure and bring technology, but also often act as protectors of local culture and ecology. In Sudan, HEI assisted in building schools and kindergartens, and constructed sports stadiums. The Embassy of Sudan in China praised these actions for “making beneficial contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and promoting the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.” During the construction of the Hassyan Power Plant in the UAE, HEI transplanted tens of thousands of corals from the construction area to a safe zone and implemented protection measures for fish and rare, endangered species such as the hawksbill sea turtle, thereby fostering people-to-people connectivity.