Chinese"One Belt One Road" initiative will benefit all participants
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - China's Belt and Road Initiative not only benefits all participatingcountries and regions, but also strengthens relations among them, Cambodian minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth has said.
The proposal refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient traderoutes of Silk Road.
"It is a promising initiative, which not only benefits all members' economic performance, but also strengthens ties," Aun Pornmoniroth said ahead of the Belt and Road Forum forInternational Cooperation to be held from May 14 to 15 in Beijing.
The initiative will help develop some of the economically least integrated parts of the world through greater connectivity, including the construction of infrastructure, the minister said.
"As the dynamics of international relations are changing rapidly, we lookto China to play an even larger role on the global stage," he said.
He said China is well-positioned to play a leading role in deepening regional economic integration through strengthening connectivity and economic development.
In regional connectivity, he said that the initiative benefits all participants in Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania, lowering transportation cost, increasing trade volume and value, and extending trade accessibility.
For economic development, he said that the initiative fosters collaboration within the regions with a flow of people, goods, trade, capital and ideas, thus enhancing economic performance in each country and region through better connectivity by road, rail and air which will support stronger links in trade, investment, banking and finance.
Under the initiative, he said, Cambodia and China agreed to focus on core areas such as infrastructure and agriculture.
In infrastructure, he said the cooperation focuses on transportation such as railway, highway, aviation, communication, network, aerospace and nuclear energy.
On the agriculture, it focuses on specialized crops, aquatic and animal products, as well asfood processing, agricultural inspection and quarantine, he said.
Cambodia will benefit from this initiative through increasing trade and investment with China and other countries, he said. "China will be a key market for Cambodia's export diversification and investment programs."
The minister also said that China has put great emphasis on people-to-people relationship to enhance friendship with Cambodia.
"We are looking to China not only for financing and investment flows, but also to bring inmanagement skills, technical knowledge and skills knowledge and new technologies, particularly in the area of infrastructure development," he said. "In other words, we believe China should be a knowledge provider."
Source: China Daily 04/28/2017
China’s Agriculture Minister Han Changfu holds talks with EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development
China's Agriculture Minister Han Changfu held talks with Mr. Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, in Brussels on 20 April 2017. The two sides had extensive and in-depth discussions on enhancing China-EU agricultural cooperation, particularly in the areas of animal health quarantine, agricultural market access, geographical indications and WTO agriculture negotiations.
Minister Han recognized the achievements of bilateral agricultural cooperation and highly appreciated Mr. Hogan for his sincere efforts in strengthening agricultural cooperation with China. He noted that China and the EU shares great potential for cooperation in green agriculture development, agricultural trade and investment, as well as agricultural heritage conservation. China encourages EU enterprises to invest in China’s modern agricultural development. Minister Han invited the EU delegation to the China Agricultural Trade Fair in late September this year, and put forward a proposal to convene the China-EU agro-processing forum concurrently with the Fair.
Mr. Hogan said that the EU highly values agricultural cooperation with China and is willing to facilitate the docking between EU “Horizon 2020 program” and China’s "five great moves on green agricultural development”, in order to draw on each other’s strengths and promote common agricultural development.
On 21 April 2017, Minister Han and Mr. Hogan signed the Joint Statement on the Establishment of an EU-China Project on Capacity Building for Young Professional Farmers and Agricultural Professionals at the EU headquarters, vowing to facilitate exchanges and training of young farmers and strengthen the agricultural talent pool.
Source: Chinese MOA Information Office
“Phenamacril + tebuconazole”, first choice for prevention and control of wheat scab in China’s Anhui Province
On 5 April, 2017, the Anhui Provincial Agriculture Commission predicted at the Wheat Scab Prevention and Control Press Conference that the wheat scab would occur to be serious throughout the province this year and that about 4.3 million ha should be sprayed for prevention and control. “This is very formidable,” stated the Commission, “And we chose phenamacril + tebuconazole (Commodity name: Jingxing 劲兴) as the first pesticide for prevention and control.”
Reportedly, this is the first time for Anhui Province to hold the press conference for the prevention and control of wheat scab, which is a showcase about the strong stress on the work. “In recent years, the occurrence (incl. stricken area and seriousness) has been increasing, impacted by the climate conditions and the changes in culture. During 2012-2016, there were 3 years seeing serious occurrence, which showed extremely high frequencies. Now the whole province has witnessed its occurrence.”
In order to better prevent and control the wheat scab, the Anhui Crop Protection Station issued the Technical Notice for Prevention and Control of Wheat Scab on 27 March, 2017, a move intended to choose pesticides that are resistant to rainfall erosion, and at the same time are effective on wheat powdery mildew and wheat rust. The Station recommended the said phenamacril + tebuconazole, which was developed by Jiangsu Pesticide Research Institute Company Ltd., as the first choice, along with tebuconazole + prochloraz, propiconazole + thiram, prothioconazole + tebuconazole, prochloraz + thiophanate methyl, and difenoconazole + propiconazole.
Source: Think Real
China cuts taxes further, impacts pesticide VAT
On April 19, an executive meeting of the State Council was held and presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, where a decision was made to adopt further tax reduction measures to cut costs and promote growth in the real economy.
At the meeting, as a follow up to the Yuan200 billion tax reduction measures put in place in the first quarter of the year, the additional measures that were decided upon are as following:
Beginning from July 1 this year, VAT (Value-Added Tax) rate brackets will be reduced from 4 to 3, pegged respectively at 17 percent, 11 percent and 6 percent, while the bracket of 13 percent has been cancelled. It is expected that this initiative will effect a further tax reduction of over Yuan380 billion in favor of all market players and promote growth in the real economy.
According to provisions of Item 2 of Article 4 of the Provisional Regulations of the People‘s Republic of China on VAT issued under ref GWY-538, tax payers are subject to a 13 percent tax upon import or sales of the following goods. This means that VAT for natural gas, pesticides, fertilizers and farm machinery will be brought down to 11 percent now with the cancellation of a 13 percent tax.
Source: AgroPages.com
Special English teacher training coming to rural China
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The Jack Ma Foundation and English education platform VIPKID recently announced in Beijing a cooperative plan to support teacher training in impoverished areas of China.
The two sides have worked together and offered training and quality English teaching resources for teachers at five pilot schools in Yunnan, Guizhou and Gansu provinces through an online platform.
They plan to extend such support to more than 200 schools in the following two years, and meanwhile, through the same platform, enable teachers and students in these areas to communicate directly with English teachers abroad.
Mi Wenjuan, founder and CEO of VIPKID, said high-quality teaching content and good teachers are key elements in resolving the education problems facing China's impoverished areas.
"We hope that through the cooperation and the online platform, teachers and students in remote areas can have fresh English teaching materials and could conduct English conversations directly with teachers overseas," she said.
She added that the company announced an investment of 100 million yuan ($14.5 million) in January to help broaden the vision of children in remote and impoverished areas of China by offering more English teaching resources.
Hu Zhiqiang, general manager of the Education Network Platform under the Jack Ma Foundation, established in October to boost educational equity in China, said the cooperation will help reduce the short supply of English teachers in underdeveloped areas of China.
"The cooperation would benefit English education in these areas by bringing the needs of teachers and students and the English education resources at VIPKID together," he said.
DATE:2017-04-25 SOURCE:China Daily
Poverty alleviation projects carried out in China's Guangxi
A villager shows a cultured scorpion in Nongjingtun Village of Qibainong Township in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 21, 2017. Poverty-stricken towns in Guangxi region, such as Qibai, Bansheng and Yalong, are featured with harsh living environment due to water and cropland shortage in the karst landform. Local government has made efforts to carry out poverty alleviation projects, such as building water boxes, renovating thatched houses and developing poultry and livestock industry for local residents. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
Workers carry water pipes for building a drought resistance project on a mountain road in Nonglei Village of Bansheng Township in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 10, 2016. Poverty-stricken towns in Guangxi region, such as Qibainong, Bansheng and Yalong, are featured with harsh living environment due to water and cropland shortage in the karst landform. Local government has made efforts to carry out poverty alleviation projects, such as building water boxes, renovating thatched houses and developing poultry and livestock industry for local residents. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
Photo taken on March 24, 2017 shows spiral terraced fields piled up by stones in Nongcong Village of Bansheng Township in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Poverty-stricken towns in Guangxi region, such as Qibai, Bansheng and Yalong, are featured with harsh living environment due to water and cropland shortage in the karst landform. Local government has made efforts to carry out poverty alleviation projects, such as building water boxes, renovating thatched houses and developing poultry and livestock industry for local residents. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
Power workers renew electric transmission line in Nongjing Village of Qibainong Township in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 21, 2017. Poverty-stricken towns in Guangxi region, such as Qibai, Bansheng and Yalong, are featured with harsh living environment due to water and cropland shortage in the karst landform. Local government has made efforts to carry out poverty alleviation projects, such as building water boxes, renovating thatched houses and developing poultry and livestock industry for local residents. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
Water boxes are built around villagers' houses in Nongxiong Village of Qibainong Township, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 24, 2017. Poverty-stricken towns in Guangxi region, such as Qibai, Bansheng and Yalong, are featured with harsh living environment due to water and cropland shortage in the karst landform. Local government has made efforts to carry out poverty alleviation projects, such as building water boxes, renovating thatched houses and developing poultry and livestock industry for local residents. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
DATE:2017-04-25 SOURCE:Xinhua News Agency
MOA holds briefing on China International Tea Expo (2)
The MOA held a well-attended briefing on the China International Tea Expo for the diplomatic community in Beijing on 21 April 2017. Vice Minister Qu Dongyu attended and addressed the event.
Vice Minister Qu pointed out that agricultural trade and exchanges have been major components of cooperation among countries along the Silk Road since ancient times. Following the principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the First China International Tea Expo is a grand event for China’s tea industry and serves as an important platform for exchanges and cooperation in tea and coffee with other countries.
Vice Minister Qu emphasized that the MOA highly values the First China International Tea Expo and is willing to work with all countries to facilitate policy communication, trade promotion and technological exchanges for sustainable and green development in the tea and coffee industries worldwide. He hoped that the embassies in China could convey the message to competent departments, relevant associations and large enterprises in their respective countries as soon as possible. The MOA is looking forward to their participation in the Expo.
At the briefing, officials from the Department of Market and Economic Information of the MOA and the Agriculture Department of Zhejiang Province outlined the theme and schedule of the First China International Tea Expo, briefed attendees on preferential policies and services for exhibitors, and took questions from the diplomats.
Participants to the briefing included Ambassadors, Counsellors and Secretaries from 19 foreign countries such as Bolivia, Peru, Slovenia and Turkey, and representatives from Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, World Food Programme and Center for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.
DATE:2017-04-24 SOURCE:MOA Information Office
Vice Minister Qu Dongyu meets USDA Acting Deputy Undersecretary Jason Hafemeister
Vice Minister Qu Dongyu met with Mr. Jason Hafemeister, Acting Deputy Undersecretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in Beijing on 20 April 2017.
Mr. Qu noted that recently the heads of state of China and the U.S. met each other and reached important consensus on a number of issues. The MOA is willing to work with the USDA to implement the outcomes of the meeting, contribute to a more balanced economic and trade relations of agriculture and bring more benefits to the two peoples. The two sides exchanged views on the export of U.S. beef to China and the export of cooked poultry raised and slaughtered in China to the U.S..
Mr. Hafemeister fully agreed with Mr. Qu and highly appreciated the MOA’s positive attitude and quick response on implementing the consensus. He expressed that the U.S. side is looking forward to strengthening cooperation with the MOA to work for outcomes in implementing the consensus on agriculture at an early date.
DATE:2017-04-24 SOURCE:MOA Information Office
China, Vietnam to hold joint fishery inspection
SANYA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese maritime police vessels on Monday left here for a China-Vietnam joint fishery inspection.
The inspection in the Beibu Gulf involves two police vessels from each side and will be conducted over three days, ending Thursday.
Maritime police will observe the fishing activities and occasionally board fishing boats to carry out random checks, according to China's maritime police authorities. The two sides will also discuss ways of improving cooperation.
The gulf is a traditional fishery ground for fishermen of both countries. China and Vietnam signed an agreement on the demarcation of the gulf in 2000. Deals on peaceful exploitation of resources were later signed.
Joint inspections began in 2006 as an annual event, and were increased to twice a year in 2016.
Chinese maritime police said the joint inspection provided a means for smooth contact with their Vietnamese counterparts, creating a peaceful and harmonious environment for the fishermen.
Scenery of terraced fields in Guizhou
Aerial photo taken on April 17, 2017 shows scenery of terraced fields in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Wang Bingzhen)
Aerial photo taken on April 17, 2017 shows scenery of terraced fields in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Wang Bingzhen)
Aerial photo taken on April 17, 2017 shows scenery of terraced fields in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Wang Bingzhen)
Aerial photo taken on April 17, 2017 shows scenery of terraced fields in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Wang Bingzhen)
SOURCE:Xinhua News Agency