Mitr Phol and EAS Celebrate 50 Years of Thailand–China Diplomatic Relations
Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China, Mitr Phol Group — one of the world’s leading sugar producers and recognised for its sustainability leadership in the food production sector — is joining forces with its affiliate East Asia Sugar Group (EAS), the largest sugar producer in Guangxi Province and the third largest in the People’s Republic of China, to present a joint showcase at the Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2025. The event highlights more than 32 years of partnership rooted in knowledge exchange and expertise-sharing aimed at sustainably strengthening the sugarcane and sugar industry in both countries.
Mr Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, Chairman of Mitr Phol Group, said: “For more than 32 years, Mitr Phol Group and East Asia Sugar Group — our sugar business arm in the People’s Republic of China — have advanced together under the shared vision of ‘Grow Together’. This is not just a slogan; it is a core principle guiding how we do business in Thailand and every country where we operate, especially China. We have always believed in building opportunities through the exchange of knowledge, expertise and experience that deliver mutual benefit. Mitr Phol has contributed to China’s development by sharing advanced precision-farming practices, high-efficiency production technologies and innovations that support environmentally responsible growth. In return, we have brought valuable innovation and energy expertise from China to strengthen capabilities in Thailand. Our partnership also includes a strong commitment to talent development through educational initiatives and training. These collaborative efforts reflect our continued commitment to transforming the sugarcane and sugar industry, while contributing to the development of a Green Industry that creates long-term, sustainable value.”
Over the past three decades, the two companies have built a solid foundation for long-term development across four key areas. This includes transferring knowledge in modern, precision agriculture through the “Mitr Phol Modern Farm” model, aligned with the globally recognised Bonsucro Standard for sustainable sugarcane farming. The approach helps improve productivity, reduce costs and enhance environmental stewardship — raising farmers’ quality of life and strengthening the competitiveness of China’s sugar industry, in alignment with the national “Double High” policy to increase both yields and sugar content. To support this ambition, East Asia Sugar Group has established more than 14 Modern Agricultural Technology Learning Centres as training hubs for employees and farmers.
The partnership has also driven a zero-waste production system by converting all by-products into valuable resources — an approach known as Waste to Value Creation. Cutting-edge technologies help improve sugar quality while expanding into biomass power generation using sugarcane bagasse and leaves. The business portfolio extends to yeast production from molasses, fertiliser manufacturing and bio-protein animal feed, fostering a circular economy that adds value throughout the entire supply chain. These operations hold Green Factory Certification. East Asia Sugar Group has successfully adopted Mitr Phol’s proven co-generation system, producing both heat and electricity. The company currently operates three biomass power plants in China, with a combined capacity of 90 megawatts, helping to reduce more than 210,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Economic empowerment is another key focus, with strong emphasis on income distribution and quality-of-life improvements for sugarcane farmers. At the same time, the companies continue to invest in education and community development through skills exchange and curriculum enhancement. Collaboration agreements have been signed with educational institutions including Khon Kaen Advanced Agricultural Technology College and leading Chinese academic partners. These include Guangxi Vocational and Technical Institute of Industry, co-founder of the “Thai-Chinese Sugar Industry Skilled Technicians Institute”, and Guangxi Electrical Polytechnic Institute, partner in establishing the “Modern Electrical Energy Technical College”. Further cooperation involves Guangxi International College and the Faculty of Agriculture at Guangxi University in developing teaching and industry-skill capabilities.
As the partnership passes its 32-year milestone, Mitr Phol Group and East Asia Sugar Group reaffirm their commitment to growing stronger together through ongoing exchange of knowledge, expertise and technology. Their shared vision, “Grow Together”, remains the cornerstone for advancing a more resilient and sustainable Thai–Chinese sugarcane and sugar industry — and for building a brighter shared future.
