From December 14^th to 15^th, the 2019 “Belt and Road” Forum for International Cooperation and Development on Agricultural Modernization and the 2^nd Plenary Session of the 1^st Council of the International Cooperation Alliances on Agricultural Equipment were successfully organized by Jiangsu University (JSU). Chinese and African intellects from agriculture and education departments, and enterprises in the field of agriculture equipment promoted the “Belt and Road” construction through “Industry Nurturing Agriculture as well as Integrating of Enterprises with Universities”.

On December 15^th, the opening ceremony of the forum was held. Madam Kayula Siame, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Zambia; Mrs. Lisulo Precious Mushiba, Ministry of Higher Education Officer, Zambia; Mr. Chibwe Coster, Director, Department of Planning, Ministry of Education, Zambia; Mr. Chipasha Pascal, Assistant Director of Lusaka Provincial Department of Agriculture, Zambia; Mr. Song Hongyuan, Director of Research Center of Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Xu Tongkai, Vice President of Council for Promoting South-South Cooperation; Mr. Teng Yong, Executive Vice President of Jiangsu Association for Friendship and International Exchanges; Mr. Wang Chengbin, Deputy Director-General of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education; Prof. Yuan Shouqi, Chair of JSU committee; Prof. Yan Xiaohong, Chairman of the International Talent Cultivation Association and the International Alliance of Agricultural Equipment International Cooperation (ICAAE), President of JSU, attended the meeting. Prof. Yuan Shouqi gave the welcome speech. Prof. Yan Xiaohong appreciated all the guests to promote the new mechanism of “Belt and Road” international talent training, and ensure the efficient cropping between the talent supply and the demand side of aptitudes.

In the opening ceremony, Jiangsu University - Zhenjiang Longshun “Belt and Road” Academy and Industry Integration Development Fund was launched in order to recognize outstanding foreign students and teachers who make great contributions. The opening ceremony also licensed ceremony of University - Enterprise Cooperation Practice Base for international talents of JSU.

To further understand the prospects of Zambia in terms of “supporting agriculture with industry to boost agriculture modernization”, an interview was held by renowned personnel’s of agriculture, with their panelist Mr. Chipasha Pascal of Zambia. Mr. Pascal emphasized the importance of agriculture to the countries and provided constructive suggestions to agricultural modernization.

On the sub-forum International Industry-academy Cooperation with Zambia, Prof. Yan Xiaohong, President of JSU, Prof. Zhao Yutao, Vice President of JSU, and Madam. Kayula Siame, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of higher Education discussed the establishment of Jiangsu University in Zambia, and the cooperative programs related to China-Africa Friendship Scholarship Programs.

Prof. Ding Jianning, Executive Vice Chairman of ICAAE, Vice President of JSU hosted the 2^nd Plenary Session of the 1^st Council of the International Cooperation Alliances on Agricultural Equipment. Mr. Teng Liliang, Marketing Director, China-Africa Development Fund, illustrated the safeguard mechanism of China-Africa Cooperation fund; Mr. Cai Jibo, Vice Chairman of China YTO Group, introduced the benefits and issues of emerging international markets in African Countries.