China, Myanmar officials call for stronger agricultural cooperation at forum

Officials and experts from China and Myanmar recently called for strengthening agricultural cooperation between the two countries at a forum in Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province.

Their remarks were made at the 7th China-Myanmar Think Tank Forum, held from Oct 20 to 22. The event aimed to enhance practical cooperation between the two countries and work towards building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future.

Thant Kyaw, chairman of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, noted that agriculture remains a foundation of Myanmar's economy and an important source of employment and livelihoods. China's advanced agricultural technologies, modern farming systems, and large consumer market offer valuable opportunities for Myanmar. "Our cooperation should go beyond exporting agricultural raw materials. We should work together to promote modern farming, agro-processing, food safety, agricultural research, and value-added production," he said.

He expressed hope that the forum would generate practical recommendations to further strengthen cooperation.

Zhang Dinggang, director of Dehong's agriculture and rural affairs bureau, highlighted the prefecture's agrarian achievements with Myanmar. "Dehong has fully utilized the advantages of its border ports to vigorously promote cross-border industries such as sericulture, tropical fruits and vegetables, and alternate planting," Zhang said. "This has led to the establishment of a cross-border industry model that includes technology export, joint base development, and product re-importation."

He added that Dehong plans to continue advancing agricultural cooperation projects to fruition.