Minister Han Changfu meets Chilean counterpart

Minister Han Changfu meets Chilean counterpart

Minister Han Changfu noted that China and Chile have maintained close collaboration in agricultural sector and witnessed fruitful results. Since the bilateral meeting in 2014, the two sides have made joint efforts and achieved positive progress. The Tianjin base of China-Chile demonstration farm runs smoothly, while theSantiago base is also under preparation. The agricultural science institutes of the two countries are expected to reach agreement of intent for cooperation, particularly in joint research and technology extension and application. The two-way agricultural trade has also seen sustained and healthy development. To further promote bilateral agricultural cooperation, Minister Han Changfu put forward a five-point proposal:

first, make full use of the China-Chile Joint Committee on Agriculture and exchange views on issues of common interest;

second, strengthen the development of demonstration farms in both countries and China hopes that Chile could provide necessary support to the Tianjin base in introducing new fruit tree varieties, and facilitate the site selection and program planning for the Santiago base;

third, intensify agricultural S&T exchanges and cooperation, build a cooperation platform between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Institute of Agricultural Research of Chile, and jointly set up a Chile-China R&D center for agricultural S&T cooperation;

fourth, deepen bilateral and multilateral fisheries cooperation, encourage aquaculture and fishing cooperation between businesses in the spirit of mutual benefits, promote information sharing, communicate the stance of each other on international fisheries under multilateral frameworks, and boost sustainable development of fisheries;

fifth, further expand agricultural trade and investment, and step up industrial integration of agricultural sector.

Carlos Furche noted that China has become the largest trade partner of Chile and he is glad to see great achievements in bilateral agricultural cooperation. The demonstration farms are considered a successful model of bilateral agricultural cooperation, fully reflecting the hard work of both ministries. He agreed with Minister Han Changfu on the above suggestions, underling that the Chilean side is ready to expand pragmatic cooperation with China in agricultural policies, S&T exchanges, fishing and aquaculture, agricultural trade, and so forth. 

Senior officials of MOA as well as the ambassador of Chile to China attended the meeting.