Peking University China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation Seminar and Council Meeting of the China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Research Center Successfully Held

Release date：2025/05/20　　Source： CCAP

On the morning of May 18, 2025, the Peking University China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation Seminar & Council Meeting of the China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Research Center (hereinafter referred to as “the Research Center”) was successfully held at Peking University.

The event was jointly organized by the New Rural Development Institute, the China Center for  Agricultural Policy (CCAP), and the China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Research Center. It was co-organized by the School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Zhongdi Overseas Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., and Jiangsu FAMSUN Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.

Distinguished guests included Qian Keming, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Deputy Director of the Committee on Education, Science, Health and Sports, and former Vice Minister of Commerce, as well as relevant officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Over 30 representatives from academic institutions, research organizations, and enterprises participated in the event.

Professor Jikun Huang, Dean of the School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences and Director of the New Rural Development Institute, Peking University, delivered an introduction outlining the background of the meeting.

He noted that the seminar focused on four key themes:

1. China-Africa agricultural trade and investment cooperation

2. Enhancing Africa’s capacity in food and major agricultural product production

3. Optimization of aid and agricultural investment in Africa

4. Talent development for China-Africa agricultural cooperation

Professor Huang emphasized that the discussions aimed to offer strategic insights and recommendations from government, academia, and industry to advance China-Africa collaboration in agriculture.

Keming Qian, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted that in recent years, China's agricultural investment in Africa has continued to grow steadily, yielding promising practical results and broad development prospects in China-Africa agricultural cooperation.

He emphasized that:

• The experiences of China's own agricultural development should serve as a valuable reference in shaping cooperation strategies.

• Cooperation should be driven by long-term objectives, particularly in supporting Africa to address challenges in food security and poverty reduction.

• China and Africa each possess distinct comparative advantages in the agricultural sector, which lays a solid foundation for strengthening agricultural investment, as well as enhancing trade and collaboration in the field.

Qian’s remarks underscored the strategic and mutually beneficial nature of China-Africa agricultural partnerships.

The keynote session was moderated by Dr. Wei Xie , Deputy Director of theNew Rural Development Institute, Peking University. A series of insightful presentations were delivered by experts from academia, research institutions, and industry, focusing on different dimensions of China-Africa agricultural cooperation:

• Dr. Qiang Wang, Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology and Researcher at the Agricultural Products Processing Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, discussed the current state and challenges of the global peanut industry, and shared his perspectives on technological cooperation and future prospects for China-Africa peanut industry collaboration.

• Dr. Jihua Li, Deputy Director of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, presented the institute’s experiences in tropical agricultural research and its engagement in Africa-related collaboration. He proposed leveraging China’s scientific and technological strengths to accelerate agricultural modernization in Africa.

• Shiwen Mei, former President of the China-Africa Development Fund, shared the fund’s practical experience in supporting agricultural projects in Africa, offering valuable lessons and models to advance China-Africa agricultural cooperation.

• Xiaojing Mao, Director of the West Asia and Africa Institute at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (Ministry of Commerce), analyzed China-Africa agricultural cooperation from three angles: aid, trade, and investment, providing a comprehensive policy and economic overview.

• Xiangdong Li, Vice President of Jiangsu FAMSUN Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., discussed the company’s success in promoting full agricultural and livestock industry chain equipment solutions in Africa, demonstrating how smart technologies are enabling agricultural transformation across the continent.

• Miao Wang, Chairman of Zhongdi Overseas Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., shared his company’s experiences in African agricultural development, identified key focus areas, and offered recommendations on sustainable industrial cooperation models to strengthen China-Africa agricultural investment.

• Professor  Jinxia Wang, Director of the China Center forAgricultural Policy (CCAP) at Peking University, provided a thorough analysis of the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of China-Africa agricultural cooperation. She also offered policy recommendations aimed at facilitating deeper and more effective collaboration between China and Africa in the agricultural sector.

The open discussion session was moderated by Dr. Zhao Hanqing, Director of the China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Research Center. This segment featured active participation from representatives of various academic and industry institutions, including: China Agricultural University, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Zhejiang A&F University, Jilin Agricultural University, Beijing Depon Davai Technology Co., Ltd., Hubei Chengtian Group, Zoomlion Agricultural Machinery Co., Ltd.

Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on key topics such as: Innovative cooperation models for China-Africa agricultural partnerships, Risk management strategies in cross-border agricultural initiatives, Financial support mechanisms for agricultural investment and development, Talent development and training for sustainable cooperation.

There was broad consensus among all attendees that China-Africa agricultural cooperation should: Leverage the comparative advantages of both regions, Enhance policy dialogue and coordination, Integrate resources to build long-term, effective cooperation mechanisms.

During the meeting, the China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Research Center held a formal appointment ceremony to present letters of appointment to the newly appointed: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Director, Secretary-General.

In his concluding speech, Professor Jikun Huang  provided a comprehensive summary of the seminar. He emphasized that agricultural development in Africa is currently at the early stage of rural economic transformation, and that China's development experience offers valuable lessons for guiding this process now and into the future.

Professor Huang called for:

• Closer collaboration among universities, research institutions, and enterprises

• In-depth research into the specific challenges and dynamics of African agricultural development

He stressed that such integrated efforts are crucial for providing strong, sustained support to the advancement of China-Africa agricultural cooperation, fostering innovation and impact in both policy and practice.

This seminar successfully established a high-level exchange platform for advancing China-Africa agricultural cooperation, bringing together collective wisdom and consensus from government agencies, academic and research institutions, and leading enterprises.

Key outcomes of the meeting include:

• Strengthened cross-sector dialogue on agricultural development and investment

• Unified commitment to deepening practical cooperation

• Shared vision for fostering inclusive, long-term partnerships

All participating parties expressed their determination to work hand in hand, taking concrete actions to elevate China-Africa agricultural collaboration to a new level of depth and effectiveness.