By Nicole Golliher
China’s Agricultural Attaché Wei Zhenglin spoke Thursday to members of the US-China Business Council (USCBC) about the importance of agricultural modernization during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. He encouraged foreign companies to engage in agricultural projects in China that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, and emphasized the importance of information, technology, and innovation in the future of agriculture.
Wei was joined by First Secretary Weng Xinyu, formerly of the China Food and Drug Administration, and representatives of nearly 10 USCBC member companies for a discussion of key agricultural issues in the US-China commercial relationship as part of USCBC’s Chinese Embassy Speakers Series.
In a robust discussion with USCBC members, Wei addressed China’s overcapacity concerns, the status of trade between the two countries in beef and poultry products, and the potential for trade liberalizations under the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). China’s BIT negotiators were in Washington, DC, earlier this week for the latest round of talks. Wei agreed that a completed BIT would make agricultural cooperation easier; something he believes would benefit both countries.