Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, in Beijing on Mar. 27. 

Minister Tang fully affirmed the achievements of China–ASEAN agricultural cooperation and put forth four suggestions for consolidating and expanding bilateral cooperation:  

1) Implement major commitments made at the China–ASEAN Summit and join hands in making the “China–ASEAN Year of Agricultural Development and Food Security Cooperation” a success;  

2) Strengthen strategic dialogue in agriculture and take practical measures to highly align the China–ASEAN Action Plan on Green Agricultural Development with the ASEAN Sustainable Agriculture Guidelines;  

3) Continue to facilitate the role of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve mechanism and improve the emergency support capacity of ASEAN countries;  

4) Deepen cooperation in areas such as smart agriculture and digital villages under the framework of RCEP, enhance the resilience of agricultural sectors in the region, and drive agricultural transformation and upgrading, so as to take economic and trade cooperation in agriculture to a new level. 

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn spoke highly of the friendly relationship between China and ASEAN, and expressed appreciation in particular for China’s work and contributions toward promoting ASEAN food and agricultural development. He agreed with Minister Tang’s suggestions, saying that ASEAN is willing to work with China to further align policies and enhance technological exchange as well as continue to deepen agricultural cooperation.