China-Pacific Island Countries Agriculture and Fishery Ministers Meeting was held in Nanjing from May 9 to 10. China-Pacific Island Countries Forum on Tripartite Cooperation, as one of the sub-forums, was organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government. Under the theme of “Strengthening Cooperation on Economy, Trade, Science and Technology, Promoting Agricultural Development of Pacific Island Countries”, this forum focused on the following main topics: China’s Tropical Agricultural S&T International Cooperation, Results of Agricultural Cooperation between FAO and Pacific Island Countries, Prospects for Agricultural Cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries, Countermeasures for the Development of Agricultural Economy and Trade in Pacific Island Countries, Progress of Smart Agriculture Research in China and Prospects for Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries, Current Status and Prospects of Vanuatu Palm Oil Industry, and S &T Innovation Contributing to the Industry of Cocoa, Coconut and Other Tropical Crops.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian, Secretary of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee Xin Changxing, Vice Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ma Youxiang, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province Wang Hui, Minister for Fisheries and Forestry of Fiji Kalaveti Vodo Ravu, Minister for Agriculture of Papua New Guinea Aiye Carter Tambua, Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosafety of the Republic of Vanuatu Ianaton Nako Natuman, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Solomon Islands Augustine Auga Maeue, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Development of Kiribati Ribanataake Tiwau attended the forum.
In his speech, Xin Changxing welcomed the young people from the Pacific Island countries to study in Jiangsu, citing the case of Jiangsu University (JSU)’s training program for students from the Pacific Island countries and Fiji alumni’s engagement in building a high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. President of JSU Prof. Yan Xiaohong was invited to give a theme report at the sub-forum. 21 international students from Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the Pacific attended the forum.

Taking the theme of Prospects for Cooperation in the Whole Process Mechanization of Agriculture between China and Pacific Countries, Prof. Yan Xiaohong gave an introduction of the measures and achievements JSU has made in the past few years, related to agricultural machinery international talents cultivation, S&T international exchange and cooperation, and international education. He also noted how to promote cooperation in the whole process mechanization of agriculture against the background of deepening countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership between China and pacific island countries and building an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific island countries.

Representatives of overseas students from the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea respectively reported the development of agriculture in their own countries. During the launch ceremony of the Series of Books for Field Guide to Common Plants in FSM, five international students from JSU received the gifts.