Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, met with Victor Villalobos, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico, in Mexico City on Jan. 11. They co-chaired the Seventh Meeting of the Agricultural Working Group of the China–Mexico Intergovernmental Permanent Committee and had an in-depth exchange on various topics including climate-smart agriculture. 

Minister Tang said agriculture plays a crucial role in the economic and social development of both countries. The two agricultural authorities bear major responsibility for safeguarding food security and promoting agricultural and rural prosperity and development. Over the past three decades, China–Mexico agricultural cooperation mechanisms have been going smoothly; S&T cooperation, particularly the exchange of germplasm resources and biotechnology research, has achieved fruitful results; and agro- trade has steadily increased. In recent years, China and Mexico, two key participants and contributors to global food and agricultural affairs, have maintained effective communication in multilateral situations. China hopes to use the meeting as an opportunity to deepen practical cooperation with Mexico in broader fields, so as to bring more benefits to the people of both countries. 

Minister Villalobos spoke highly of the friendly bilateral cooperation in agriculture and praised China’s efforts in successfully hosting numerous international events such as the China–CELAC Ministerial Forum on Agriculture, the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste, and the World Conference on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. He said Mexico hopes to take the opportunity of Minister Tang’s visit to further enhance bilateral agricultural relations. 

During his stay in Mexico, Minister Tang also inspected the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Mexico, and the sites of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in Mexico. 

Zhang Run, Chinese Ambassador to Mexico, participated in the meeting and related activities.