On Nov. 24, Prof. Yan Xiaohong, President of Jiangsu University (JSU), attended the 2020 China-Central and Eastern European Countries International Agricultural Cooperation Forum in Chengdu, China. Mr. Zhai Huqu, Chairman of China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation, Mr. Zhang Zhongjun, Assistant Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Grigor Porozhanov, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to China, Mr. Mate Imre PESTI, the Ambassador of Hungary to China, and relevant leaders from the Department of International Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Sichuan Province, and Municipal Government attended the forum.

In the roundtable forum, Prof. Yan Xiaohong introduced JSU’s role and practice in the “Belt and Road” agricultural modernization cooperation. He then shared experience on how to promote the exchange of agricultural talents between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and initiated to further integrate international production and education and foster a multi-faceted cooperation in the agricultural sector with all participants. Mr. Xu Guocheng, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Chairman of China Rongtong Agricultural Development Group Co., Ltd., Mr. Zeng Jinsong, Secretary-General of Tsinghua University’s Institute of Global Development, and Vice President of Chia Tai Group, Mr. Li Jianxiong, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New Hope Group, Mr. Zong Yi, General Manager of Beijing Sunlon Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., Mr. Hong Ping, Chairman of Anyou Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Mr. Chen Tao, Chief Financial Officer of BBCA Szolnok Biochemical Co., Ltd., and Prof. Zhang Lihua, School of Labor and Human Resources of Renmin University of China also attended the forum.

During the forum, the Signing Ceremony for talent cultivation cooperation between Jiangsu University and Bulgarian University of Food Technology was also held. The two universities intend to conduct strategic cooperation in the areas of teacher training, short-term training at home or abroad, and transnational technology transfer in food technology and bioengineering under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. This will contributed JSU’s share to the “Belt and Road” construction through international industry-university integration.

In addition, Prof. Yan Xiaohong introduced the history of JSU, its distinctive characteristic and cultural spirit of “highlighting agriculture in engineering, supporting agriculture with engineering”, the construction of platforms such as the International Cooperation Alliance on Agricultural Equipment, and the high-level agricultural-related talents cultivation programs funded by Chinese government scholarships. On basis of this agreement, JSU would promote cooperation on agricultural talents cultivation and science and technology with the Central and Eastern European countries.