German-Chinese Agricultural Center (DCZ) starts 3rd project phase
The meeting was led by Li Zhiping, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC), an institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). Cornelia Berns, Sub-Department Head 62 for International Cooperation and World Food at the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and Political Director of DCZ, and Wei Zhenglin, Deputy Director General in the International Cooperation Department of MARA, emphasized the importance of further cooperation between Germany and China in agriculture and food.
Both sides stressed the importance of the bilateral partnership for exchanges on common challenges such as food security and climate change – issues that affect the agricultural sectors of both countries. Key areas of focus here include digital agriculture, food loss and waste, and cooperation in the seed sector.
While Mr. Wei highlighted Germany's role as a key partner in the modernization of Chinese agriculture, Ms. Berns expressed the German side's interest in learning more about China's innovative digital solutions in agriculture.
Jürgen Ritter, Executive Director of the DCZ, presented the DCZ work plan for 2022. This was agreed upon in the kick-off meeting.