Kia Motors is gaining stronger confidence from senior public officials in China as it has successfully carried out localization strategies in its operation of automobile manufacturing plants in the country.

The carmaker said that China’s top political adviser Jia Qinglin visited a Kia factory, dubbed Dongfeng Yueda Kia, in Yancheng District Economic Development Zone in Jiangsu Province over the weekend.

Jia, one of the top four Chinese leaders, along with Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo and Wen Jiabao, holds the post of chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Kia said he “expressed huge interest in assembly lines for the K5 sedan, which has been gaining popularity among Chinese consumers.”

His visit means that Kia’s reputation and presence have expanded there, a spokesman said. “Our success in the nation is contributing the bilateral relations and economic coordination between Korea and China.”

Kia, a unit of Hyundai Motor Group, is also aiming to complete construction on the third factory in China by the first half of 2014 in addition to the first and second factories in Yancheng.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)