The first Sino-German Agricultural Young Champions Forum was held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, on Oct. 18. Li Jinxiang, National Chief Veterinarian of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, attended the forum and delivered remarks. 

Li pointed out that China and Germany have a sound mechanism for agricultural cooperation, conduct frequent exchanges, and have achieved fruitful results, thus setting an example for bilateral agricultural cooperation. The Sino-German Capacity Building Program for Young Agricultural Practitioners was launched in 2015. So far, the two sides have sent a total of 164 young people to the other country for exchanges and trainings and received  positive feedbacks.

Li reiterated that young agricultural professionals of two countries should shoulder the responsibility of the times and commit themselves to blazing a trail in rural revitalization and sustainable agricultural development. As envoys of friendship in bilateral people-to-people interactions, young people should act as a bridge to enhance the understanding and cooperation between the agricultural sectors of both countries. 

Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, Parliamentary State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, sent a video message. Pit Heltmann, Consul General of Germany in Shanghai, attended the forum. More than 200 people participated in the forum, including representatives from the embassies of relevant countries in China, international organizations, agricultural and rural affairs commissions of relevant provinces (autonomous regions and centrally administered municipalities), companies, and research institutes, as well as student representatives from the Capacity Building Program.