Source: Department of International Cooperation, MOA

 

 

On the afternoon of July 16, Minister Sun Zhengcai met the delegation from Cornell University, US led by Vice President Dr. Alan S. Paau. In a friendly manner, the two sides held a discussion over intensifying cooperation on agricultural technologies.

 

Minister Sun pointed out that the cooperation could be dated back to as early as 1921, when Cornell University established the cooperative relationship with the present Nanjing Agricultural University. Since the reform and opening up, exchanges between the Chinese side and Cornell University on agricultural technology education has been constantly intensified, with expanding scope and ever more innovative way of cooperation, and to the benefit of the development of the two sides. The Minister also extended his gratitude to the delegation for returning the fungal specimens that had been kept in the University to avoid being destroyed by wars since last century.  

Minister Sun suggested that the two sides should enhance cooperation based upon the present accomplishment, prioritizing agricultural bio-technology, nutrition intensification of crops, agricultural bio-mass energy and animal health. The two sides could establish the Sino-US international research center on agricultural bio-technology, upon the base of cross-lab cooperation. Meanwhile, a long-term personnel exchange mechanism could be set up with the support from industrial system construction.

 

 

Dr. Paau said that Cornell University had kept close relations with China’s Ministry of Agriculture and research institutes, as many Chinese scientists, and experts of Chinese origin had contributed much to the growth of the University. He totally agreed with the Minister’s suggestion to further the cooperation between the two sides. Dr. Paau also brought the greetings from President David J. Skorton and kindly invited the Minister to visit the University at his convenience, so as to better the cooperation between the two sides.