On March 31, the Jiangsu University-Central and Eastern European Universities Symposium on Smart Agriculture Technology and Equipment and Implementation Plan Review Meeting for the National Key R&D Program "Intergovernmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation" Project was held at Jiangsu University (JSU). The symposium focuses on the cutting-edge development of smart agriculture technology and equipment between China and Central and Eastern European countries, promoting cooperation between JSU and universities in Central and Eastern European countries to a higher level in the field of smart agriculture.

Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, Sinisa Beryan, President of JSU Prof. Xing Weihong, Deputy Mayor of Zhenjiang Municipal People's Government Yin Weimin attended the opening ceremony. Experts from Central and Eastern European universities such as the University of Eastern Sarajevo, University of Novi Sad, University of Niš, University of Belgrade, Nanjing Forestry University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Ningxia University, Xi'an University of Technology, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology and other domestic experts, Zhenjiang Science and Technology Bureau, Jindong Paper Co., Ltd. and the heads of the Science and Technology Department, International Office, and School of Food and Biological Engineering of JSU attended the symposium. The opening ceremony of symposium was host by Vice Preisent of JSU Prof. Zou Xiaobo.

At the opening ceremony, President Prof. Xing Weihong, on behalf of the symposium organizer, welcomed the Chinese and foreign guests attending the symposium. She introduced the basic situation of JSU and pointed out that under the strong promotion of the China CEEC cooperation mechanism and "the Belt and Road" initiative, agricultural science and technology cooperation has flourished, which has improved the well-being of people in all countries and provided support for bilateral and multilateral exchanges. This symposium is a concrete action to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and "the Belt and Road" initiative, and is of great significance for promoting high-quality development through joint construction. President Prof. Xing Weihong awarded a letter of appointment to the consulting experts for the "Intergovernmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation" Project.

During the unveiling ceremony, Prof. Xing Weihong, Mr. Yin Weimin, and Prof. Zou Xiaobo successively unveiled the plaques of the "China-Bosnia and Herzegovina Joint Laboratory on Smart Agriculture Technology and Equipment" and the "China-Serbia Joint Laboratory on Smart Agriculture Technology and Equipment" together with representatives from universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

During the demonstration phase of the project implementation plan, Prof. Zou Xiaobo, the Chinese leader of "Intergovernmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation" Project, and Prof. Jaroslav Katona from University of Novi Sad respectively gave special reports on the overall progress of the project. Four key teachers respectively introduced the background and latest research progress of each topic. The consulting expert group conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the project implementation plan from a strategic perspective and highly recognized the characteristic direction of fruit residue resource utilization. They emphasized that the project team should base itself on an international perspective and achieve coordinated promotion of technological innovation and ecological protection.

After the opening ceremony, representatives of Central and Eastern European universities visited the University History Museum, the School of Food and Biological Engineering, the School of Agricultural Engineering, and the Library to gain an in-depth understanding of the development history and discipline characteristics of JSU. From April 1 to 2, the delegation also visited JSU's agricultural cooperative enterprises, including FMWORLD Agricultural Machinery, Jiangsu Hengshun Vinegar Industry Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Runguo Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., and Jiangsu Jinshiyuan Liquor Industry Co., Ltd., to gain a comprehensive understanding of JSU's industry-university-research cooperation foundation in the field of smart agriculture technology and equipment.