China will further agricultural cooperation with other countries,
in such areas as biotechnology, information technology and
processing techniques for farm produce, to contribute more to world
agricultural development, Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao said.
Wen made the remarks at an International Conference on Agricultural
Science and Technology which opened yesterday in Beijing.
"We must face the arduous global situation -- the world is
confronted with rising populations and the deterioration of
eco-systems, and some developing countries are still suffering from
food shortages.
"All nations and international organizations are responsible for
helping solve these issues through agricultural technology," said
Wen, who is also the chairman of the conference.
China has conducted agricultural exchanges with 100 countries and
regions. The country welcomes foreign cooperation in staff
training, joint research collaboration and technology imports, he
said.
To
boost its agriculture, China will concentrate on developing
technology for popularizing high-yield crop seeds, promoting
water-saving agricultural production techniques, protecting natural
forests and preventing sandstorms and desertification, Wen
said.
President Jiang Zemin, when meeting the international agricultural
scientists attending the conference, stressed the "revolutionary"
role of high technologies which feature modern biological and gene
technologies in agricultural development.
He
said he hopes agricultural scientists in various countries will
join hands to help people in poverty-ridden areas of the world.
Jamal M. Ahmed, chief representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization to China, voiced high appreciation of China's
agricultural policies and technological progress.
"China has made outstanding achievements in promoting sustainable
development through science and technology... Its grain production
increased nearly 500 million tons in less than 20 years," said
Ahmed.
He
added that China's successful experience is worthy of study by
other developing countries.
China produces 21 percent of the world grain output on a sown area
which accounts for 15 percent of the world total.
It
supports 22 percent of the world's population on arable land which
constitutes only 10 percent of the world's total, according to
Vice-Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu.
The country has bid farewell to the shortage of farm produce and
enjoys a basic balance of supply and demand, thanks to the 20 years
of reform implementation and technological progress. China has met
its commitment in the worldwide campaign to eradicate poverty and
famine, Han said.
The three-day international conference, sponsored by the Chinese
Government, is also supported by the United Nations Development Program,
the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Education, Science and
Culture Organization.
Some 1,000 scientists, entrepreneurs and governmental officials
from 60 countries and regions will discuss agricultural prospects
in the new century.
(China
Daily November 8, 2001)