Minister Han Changfu visits Mexico

Minister Han Changfu visited Mexico from Sept. 26 to 28, 2015, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) of the United Mexican States on Strengthening Agricultural Cooperation with Mr.José Calzada, his counterpart of Mexico. 

Minister Han held a meeting with Mr.José Calzada, Secretary of SAGARPA, and paid field visits on agricultural production and agro-product processing in the state of Jalisco, accompanied by Secretary Calzada, Jalisco State Governor Jorge Sandoval, and Julián Ventura, Ambassador of Mexico to China. 

Minister Han exchanged views with Secretary Calzada on enhancing bilateral and multilateral agricultural cooperation. He noted that as important developing countries and major agricultural countries, China and Mexico have maintained sound cooperation in the field of agriculture. Especially, since President Xi Jinping's state visit to Mexico in 2013, the bilateral relations have been promoted to a comprehensive strategic partnership, laying a solid political foundation for deepening cooperation in all areas.

Minister Han underlined the important position of Jalisco State in Mexico''s agriculture and the great potentials for further cooperation. He said that the Chinese side is ready to work together with Mexico to advance pragmatic agricultural cooperation onthe basis of mutual benefits for win-win outcomes.

For this end, Minister Han put forward the following suggestions: first, improve and leverage bilateral working mechanisms to create conditions and opportunities for pragmatic cooperation; second, intensify S&T exchanges and collaboration to enhance the capacity of technical innovation in agriculture of both countries; third, boost agricultural trade and investment to improve the international competitiveness of the agricultural sector and agri-businesses of both countries; fourth, maintain effective communication and coordination in international food and agriculture affairs and in the region of Latin America, and push forward China-Mexico agricultural cooperation in prioritized areas in a pragmatic manner, improving the overall China-Latin America agricultural cooperation.

Secretary Calzada agreed with Minister Han on his suggestions to strengthen cooperation. He pointed out that the signing of the MOU will open a new chapter for the bilateral agricultural collaboration. The Mexican side is ready to boost its cooperation with China in corn, fisheries, livestock production, germplasm exchange, variety & breed improvement, agricultural trade and investment, among others.