Vice Minister Zhang Taolin co-chaired the 3rd Meeting of China-Fiji Joint Committee on Agriculture with Mr. Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests, and Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management of Fiji, in Suva, capital city of Fiji, on Sept. 26, 2016.
The two sides reviewed and spoke highly of the positive progress in the bilateral agricultural cooperation and shared the following views:
(1) The rice demonstration project has promoted the rice farming across the whole country of Fiji;
(2) The mushroom project has not only promoted the mushroom production but also spurred the edible fungi and livestock sector development in Fiji;
(3) The exchanges and training of agricultural technical personnel has, on the one hand, disseminated practical technology and management practices to Fiji technical and managerial personnel, promoting the development of modern agriculture in Fiji; on the other hand, strengthened the existing friendly relations between China and Fiji, facilitating closer cooperation in the future.
To further strengthen cooperation, the two sides reached consensus as below:
(1) Giving full play to the role of China-Fiji Joint Committee on Agriculture in guiding the bilateral agricultural cooperation. The two sides agreed to update and renew the MOU on agricultural cooperation.
(2) Continuing strengthening personnel exchanges and training. The Fijian side will be offered more opportunities for training in China. it also hopes that more Chinese experts would be fielded in Fiji to guide crop production, livestock production, and agricultural product processing, among others. China will send an expert team composed of tropical crop experts, agronomist and fishery experts to Fiji to identify priorities and direction for future cooperation.
(3) Pushing forward the implementation of the PhaseII of the mushroom project for integrated production of crops, livestock and edible fungi.
(4) Strengthening cooperation in agriculture and fisheries investment to increase trade.
Mr. Loane Naivalurua, Ambassador of Fiji to China, and Political Counselor Mr. Gu Yu and Commercial Counselor Mr. Yang Xunlei from Chinese Embassy to Fiji, also attended the meeting.
After the meeting, Vice Minister Zhang held a meeting with Ms. Andie Fong Toy, Deputy Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The two sides exchanged views on strengthening agricultural and fishery cooperation between China and the Pacific island countries.