Deepening China-Italy agricultural cooperation in the China-Italy agricultural and food economic and trade cooperation

Vice Premier of the State Council Wang Yang

It is a great pleasure to come to Milan, the world's fashion capital, to attend today's forum. On behalf of the Chinese government, I wish to extend warm congratulations on the holding of this forum, express heartfelt thanks to all the organizers for their meticulous arrangements, and offer sincere gratitude to all people from all walks of life who care about, support and participate in China-Italy agricultural and food economic and trade cooperation.

Agriculture is the condition on which humanity depends for survival and development, and the foundation of the economic and social development of every country. The Chinese government attaches particular importance to the issue of food and agriculture, and has always regarded developing agriculture as the top priority in governing the country and ensuring national stability, and insists on relying mainly on its own strength to solve the problem of feeding its more than 1.3 billion people. We have continuously strengthened agricultural infrastructure development, advanced progress in agricultural science and technology, and achieved achievements in agricultural development that are recognized by the whole world. China feeds 20% of the world's population with 10% of the world's arable land and about 6% of its freshwater resources. China's grain output has increased for eleven consecutive years, and last year total output reached more than 600 million tons. In the last 10 years, China's grain output grew by nearly 30%, meat by more than 20%, vegetables by more than 30%, and fruit by more than 70%. Along with the substantial growth in agricultural output, the quality and safety of agricultural products have continuously improved, and the protection of agricultural resources has been further strengthened. The sustained growth of agriculture has provided strong support for the healthy development of China's economy and also made positive contributions to world agricultural development and global food security.

China is not only a major agricultural producer, but also a major consumer and trader of agricultural products and food. Over the past 10 years, China's total agricultural trade has grown at an average annual rate of 14.8%, among which agricultural imports have grown even faster, increasing by an average of 17% per year. In 2014, China's total agricultural trade reached 192.8 billion US dollars, of which exports were 71.3 billion US dollars and imports were 121.5 billion US dollars. China not only imports grain, cotton and other such products, but also imports large quantities of other agricultural products such as olive oil, wine and fruit. Mutual investment in agriculture and agricultural technology cooperation between China and other countries are also developing rapidly.

Although China and Italy are separated by vast distances, the friendship between the two sides has a long history. 740 years ago, Marco·Polo came to China along the Silk Road, opening the way for East-West cultural and economic and trade exchanges. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Over the past 45 years, the two sides have respected and trusted each other politically, pursued mutual benefit economically, and learned from each other culturally, and bilateral relations are now in the best period in history.

China and Italy are both countries with splendid agricultural civilizations, and agricultural cooperation has always been an indispensable key field in the historical process of exchanges and cooperation between our two countries. In recent years, China-Italy agricultural cooperation has developed rapidly. The volume of agricultural trade between the two countries increased from 250 million US dollars in 2000 to 1.16 billion US dollars in 2014, with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%. Of course, compared with the economic size of China and Italy, and compared with China's agricultural trade with countries around the world, the scale of China-Italy agricultural trade and investment is not yet large, and the growth rate is not yet fast; there is still a certain gap, but from the gap we can see potential and broad prospects.

Now, the common interests of the two countries are expanding, mutual demand is increasing, and the desire of enterprises to strengthen cooperation is constantly growing. In China, Italian elements in the diet are constantly becoming richer. Many young people not only love to eat, but also like to learn to make pizza and pasta, and Italian wine and olive oil have long been renowned. In Italy, I have also found Chinese restaurants everywhere. I have also heard that many Milan residents can skillfully use chopsticks to “pick up” baozi rather than “poke” them; I have also heard that Beijing roast duck and Italian Pinot Noir are a perfect match, and that kung pao chicken enjoyed together with Dolce vino has an excellent taste. I believe that as China and Italy further strengthen cooperation in the agricultural and food fields, through “eating,” something everyone is happy to do, Chinese and Italian consumers will have more, better and more mixed dietary choices, and China-Italy cultural exchanges will also become deeper.

Ladies and gentlemen,

There is an Italian proverb, “genius recognizes genius,” and the Chinese say, “heroes admire heroes.” China treasures its profound friendship with Italy and is willing to take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen its friendly relations with Italy, vigorously raise the level of practical China-Italy agricultural cooperation, and push the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. To this end, I wish to put forward the following suggestions for future agricultural cooperation:

First, consolidate the foundation for cooperation. The agricultural departments of the two countries should better play their roles in macro guidance and overall coordination, make use of existing cooperation mechanisms, establish efficient communication mechanisms, maintain smooth exchanges, and properly plan the direction and priorities of future cooperation.

Second, strengthen coordination of positions. The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination on major issues in the international food and agriculture field such as food security, climate change and biomass energy, form consensus, jointly oppose all forms of trade protectionism, establish a fair, reasonable, sustained and stable international agricultural trade order, and create a favorable international environment for agricultural development.

Third, expand the scale of trade. The two sides should mutually expand market openness, strengthen cooperation in customs, quality inspection, logistics, and personnel entry and exit, and fully unleash the development potential of bilateral agricultural trade. China has never pursued a trade surplus, and is willing through various means to create opportunities for enterprises on both sides, enrich the food baskets of the two peoples, and promote a dynamic balance in mutual trade.

Fourth, promote investment growth. The two sides should eliminate various investment barriers and actively carry out various forms of investment promotion activities. The economic and trade promotion agencies of both sides should fully play the role of bridge and bond, build platforms for exchanges between enterprises on both sides, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and help enterprises find more trade and investment cooperation opportunities.

Ladies and gentlemen:

At present, China is actively advancing the building of the “Belt and Road.” As the starting point and the end point of the ancient Silk Road, China and Italy once created a glorious history. We should make full use of this unique advantage, promote exchanges in agriculture and food culture, advance the development of bilateral relations, and make new and greater contributions to promoting the sustainable development of global agriculture. I firmly believe that with the unremitting efforts of the two governments and the economic circles, including all the friends present here, China-Italy agricultural cooperation will surely bear even more abundant fruit.

Finally, I wish the China-Italy Agricultural and Food Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum complete success!

Thank you all!