China, Arab states bolster agricultural projects

Hussam Al Husseini, Jordanian ambassador to China, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on food security as transportation and supply chains have been largely restricted. Under such circumstances, states' ability to produce food locally becomes increasingly important, and this has been a key area of communication and cooperation between China and Jordan. China has rich experience in this aspect, thanks to its modern technologies.

"In the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, we came to a better understanding of China's technological development in traditional agriculture, desert agriculture and desertification prevention and control. We are looking forward to establishing more cooperation with China in this regard, especially through joint research and exchange of experience, to explore more cooperation opportunities, make joint investments and improve agricultural productivity. We hope to use advanced technologies to cope with problems in agricultural production caused by water shortages and the desert climate in Jordan."

Government officials and experts from both sides are bullish about the prospects for China-Arab cooperation.

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: "With China's Belt and Road Initiative, the industrial development of both sides is complementary and the prospect for cooperation is very broad.

"In 2018, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates on Jointly Building the Wholesale Market of Agricultural, Livestock and Fishery Products was signed, which is now being implemented as planned, and we believe that it will play a positive role in promoting China-Arab agricultural cooperation and comprehensive agricultural cooperation."

He said China is now the largest trading partner of the UAE. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, two-way trade volume continued to increase last year, reaching $49.18 billion.

The remarks were made during the Modern Agricultural Cooperation Conference of the fifth China-Arab States Expo, which was held from Aug 19 to Aug 22 in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia.

A total of 36 agricultural projects were signed during the expo, with the total value reaching 2 billion yuan. Among them, four were agricultural cooperation projects under the framework of China-Arab cooperation and the BRI. Four involved the importation of new technologies and equipment as well as trade-related projects. The remainder regarded investment and trade agreements on featured agricultural industries.

Anshuman Varma, deputy director of the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, said: "International and regional cooperation is vital for sustainable agricultural development and promoting food security and poverty reduction. The fifth China-Arab States Expo enables vibrant sharing of knowledge and experience and makes an important contribution to international cooperation and exchange."

As an important platform to promote China-Arab collaboration, during the past four years, more than 80 countries, regions and international organizations－along with 50 business associations and some 500 medium- and large-sized companies－have participated in the expo's agricultural sector, including exhibitions and meetings, generating a bonanza in terms of agreements for nearly 50 projects.

According to Li from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, going forward, China and Arab states should work for a new mechanism that meets the needs of various sides, in order to promote long-term sustainable cooperation.

China and Arab states should also actively encourage their research institutes to cooperate in areas of digital agriculture, green agriculture, modern animal husbandry, agricultural internet of things, and desertification prevention and treatment, in order to create a synergistic effect in facilitating agricultural technological innovation. This is essential for the resilience and flexibility of the world's food supply system and sustainable development.

"More policies that are beneficial to economic exchanges and trade between the country and Arab states are in the pipeline. Both sides should take this as an opportunity to broaden the scale of agricultural trade and cooperation, cultivate new business entities in trade, and develop new forms and models of foreign trade," Li said.