The 16th Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum, as a supporting event of the 6th China International Import Expo, was successfully held in Shanghai on November 6. Hosted by the State Administration for Market Regulation and co-organized by the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Development Research Center of the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum, the event’s theme was ‘Deepening the Belt and Road Cooperation in Agriculture and Food: Jointly Creating a Better Life for Humanity.’
Distinguished leaders and representatives from the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Health Commission, the General Administration of Customs, and provincial governments of Shanghai, Henan, Hainan, as well as representatives from UN organizations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and embassies of South Africa, the Netherlands, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Tanzania, Senegal, and other countries, along with over 400 domestic and international enterprise representatives, participated in the forum. They discussed agricultural cooperation and food industry development, contributing ideas to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road agricultural and food industry and highlighting the forum’s role in policy interpretation.
Keynote speeches were delivered by Tian Shihong, Vice Commissioner of State Administration for Market Regulation, Director of Standardization Administration; Chen Jie, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government; Zhang Ming, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; Zhang Zhongjun, Chargé d'affaires of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Zhang Min, Vice Governor of Henan Provincial People’s Government; and BaTeEr, Executive Vice Governor of the Hainan Provincial People’s Government. The forum’s opening ceremony was chaired by Ma Chunliang, Director General of Departments of Food Production Safety Regulation, State Administration for Market Regulation.
Tian Shihong emphasized the need to implement President Xi Jinping’s important instructions on the Belt and Road Initiative, strictly enforce the ‘4 strictest’ food safety standards, innovate governance systems, ensure food safety risk management, and safeguard the public’s food safety. He pointed out that the State Administration for Market Regulation will continue to promote open governance in the food sector under the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance international trade in food and agricultural products, strengthen scientific and technological support for food safety, and constantly meet the new demands and expectations for food consumption and a better life from the public.
Chen Jie highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation in ecological agriculture and food safety to achieve coordinated development and common security. As an open international city, Shanghai has consistently implemented the Belt and Road cooperation initiative, promoting high-quality development in the food industry. The forum brought together representatives from various fields along the Belt and Road route to enhance global consensus on food safety, deepen international cooperation in production supervision technology, and advance ecological agriculture and the food industry.
Zhang Ming discussed the significant tasks of maintaining ecological balance, ensuring food safety, and protecting public health faced by the world today. He emphasized the importance of introducing sustainable ecological technologies in agriculture and raising food safety standards. Under the framework of the SCO’s smart agriculture and agricultural innovation cooperation concept, member countries are actively collaborating to develop, introduce, and adopt advanced technologies, digital solutions, and modernized agricultural production methods.
Zhang Min shared that Henan, in the new era, has embraced the world and developed openly through the construction of air, land, online, and maritime Silk Roads, becoming an important node for the Belt and Road Initiative. Henan looks forward to deepening exchanges with countries along the route in agriculture and food industries and expanding comprehensive cooperation in economy, trade, culture, tourism, and other areas through the forum’s platform.
BaTeEr noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum. Over the past decade, the forum has provided an excellent platform for interaction and exchange among participants of the Belt and Road Initiative, playing a positive role in deepening international cooperation in agriculture and food, and enhancing the level of agricultural products and food safety. This is significant in promoting the forward development of the Belt and Road initiative.
Zhang Zhongjun expressed concern about the ongoing severe global hunger issue. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been actively working to promote the development of ecological agriculture and improve food safety levels. The increasing significance of technological innovation in solving food supply and safety issues is becoming more apparent, and new types of food and novel technological approaches are expected to have a positive impact on future food safety.
Ma Chunliang, while presiding, emphasized the importance of further deepening cooperation in agriculture and food safety along the Belt and Road. He proposed deepening innovative food safety governance systems, promoting high-quality food industry supply, enhancing international trade mutual trust in food, and insisting on sharing the achievements of technological innovation. He also expressed the hope that parties from both China and abroad would join hands to contribute to the high-quality development of the food industry and create a better life for humanity.
During the keynote speech ‘Sci-Technological Innovation Empowers the Food and Agricultural Industry, Ensuring High-Quality Supply,’ important changes were discussed in the food and agricultural products industry, a pillar of the national economy and a foundation for people’s livelihood. Presided by Li Qiang, Deputy Director General of the Department of Consumer Goods Industry of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, speakers like Xiao Fang, Director General of the Department of Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Khamis Mussa Omar, Ambassador of Tanzania to China; Chen Lang, Vice President of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation; Wang Li, Vice Chairperson and General Manager of Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd; Jiang Wenge, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd.; Ma Xiangjie, President of Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co., Ltd.; and Gu Lei, Chief Impact Officer of McDonald’s China, shared their experiences and views.
Xiao Fang, Director General of Department of Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, emphasized China’s commitment to ensuring the stable and safe supply of grain and key agricultural products. The quality and safety of agricultural products in China are guaranteed, with an increasing supply of ecological and high-quality agricultural products. Technological innovation plays a crucial role in maintaining the stable and positive trend of agricultural product quality and safety. China is willing to deepen exchanges and collaboration with other countries to jointly promote high-quality agricultural development, high-quality supply, and high-level regulation.
Khamis Mussa Omar, Ambassador of Tanzania to China, noted the profound significance of the Belt and Road Initiative in deepening global trade. The transition from ‘Precision Agriculture 3.0’ to ‘Smart Agriculture 4.0’ and then to ‘Digital Agriculture 5.0’ in Tanzania demonstrates technological progress, enhancing efficiency, productivity, industry profitability, and environmental sustainability.
Chen Lang, Vice President of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation, stressed that food security is a fundamental issue related to human survival, and the solution lies in technology. The forum has built a platform for integrating resources and sharing wisdom among Chinese agricultural and food enterprises, promoting green transformation and innovative development of the global agricultural industry chain.
Wang Li, Vice Chairperson and General Manager of Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., discussed Moutai’s ‘Time-Space-Law’ artisanal quality management model, emphasizing adapting to seasonal rhythms, ecological systems, and traditional craftsmanship culture while innovating and enriching scientific content.
Jiang Wenge, Vice Chairperson and General Manager of Wuliangye Group Co., Ltd, highlighted the ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation globally. The food industry is also adapting to this trend with technological empowerment. Innovation, market orientation, and quality focus are crucial for enhancing the role of technology in the food industry.
Ma Xiangjie, President of Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co., Ltd., argued that the development of enterprises hinges on harnessing the power of technology and using advanced technology to drive industrial upgrades. In today’s rapidly evolving information and intelligent technologies, the real economy can gain new advantages and achieve new development only by utilizing new technologies, energy, intelligence, and models.
Gu Lei, Chief Impact Officer of McDonald’s China, noted the vigorous development of the digital economy in recent years. Digitalization has become a new engine for high-quality development across industries. McDonald’s actively embraces this trend, using digitalization to drive comprehensive food safety management, ensuring stability and proactive progress.
During the keynote speech titled ‘Enhance Brand Competitiveness and Stimulate the Development of the Dairy Industry,’ presided by Wu Da, Deputy Director of Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety of the General Administration of Customs, various distinguished speakers shared their insights and experiences. The speakers included Gong Guoqiang, Deputy Director General of Department of Food Safety Standards, Risk Surveillance and Assessment of the National Health Commission; Ben Min, General Manager of Bright Dairy & Food Co., LTD; Liu Chunxi, Executive President of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.; Lu Guang, Chairman’s Consultant of China Feihe Limited; Sergio Cabrera, Ambassador of Colombia to China; I Ibrahim Sory Sylla, Ambassador of Senegal to China; Vladislav Spasov, Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Shanghai; and ULADZIMIR NIAVESTSENKA, Counsellor of Belarus Embassy in Beijing.
The speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening brand building, enhancing brand influence and competitiveness as key measures to promote high-quality development in the dairy industry. They contributed ideas and proposals to accelerate the achievement of high-quality development in the dairy sector. This session focused on the critical role of brand strategy in advancing the dairy industry and how it contributes to the overall growth and sustainability of the sector.
During his presiding of keynote speech, Wu Da proposed that strengthening brand construction and enhancing the influence and competitiveness of domestic brands are crucial measures for promoting high-quality development in the dairy industry. This emphasis highlights the importance of brand strategy in the growth and sustainability of the dairy sector, recognizing that a strong brand not only adds value to products but also increases the competitiveness of the industry in both domestic and international markets. Building a strong brand is key to meeting consumer demands, ensuring quality, and maintaining a positive reputation, all of which are essential for the long-term success and development of the dairy industry.
Gong Guoqiang, Deputy Director General of Department of Food Safety Standards, Risk Surveillance and Assessment of National Health Commission, emphasized the forum’s role in deepening international cooperation in the food safety domain. He expressed willingness to work with various parties to strengthen international exchanges and deepen cooperation in food safety, actively promoting the development of food safety in China and along the Belt and Road countries.
Ben Min, General Manager of Bright Dairy & Food Co., LTD, remarked on the mutual benefits of the Belt and Road and the opportunity provided by the 6th CIIE. Bright Dairy aims to expand the global dairy market, strengthen cooperative mechanisms among global dairy enterprises, and innovate branding strategies to enhance the quality of Chinese dairy products and contribute to ‘brightening’ Chinese brands.
Liu Chunxi, Executive President of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., highlighted the importance of a stable industrial and supply chain in the dairy industry for creating a better life for humanity. As a leading company, Yili adheres to its international strategy, gathering global resources to strengthen the chain, deepen technological innovation, accelerate digital upgrades, practice green development, and build a resilient global industrial chain.
lbrahima Sory Sylla, Ambassador of Senegal to China, spoke about Senegal’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the importance of green, ecological, and sustainable agricultural development for food self-sufficiency and regional poverty alleviation in Africa.
Lu Guang, Chairman’s Consultant of China Feihe Limited, shared the journey of Feihe, one of China’s first dairy companies, in becoming a leading brand and transforming the domestic dairy industry.
Sergio Cabrera, Ambassador of Colombia to China, discussed Colombia's dairy industry’s vision and the market potential in China as a food importer. He emphasized Colombia’s dairy industry’s quality control, production advantages, sustainable practices, and logistical challenges, and expressed hopes for market access in China and potential investments from Chinese enterprises.
Vladislav Spasov, Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Shanghai, highlighted the historical and developmental aspects of Bulgarian yogurt, known for its health benefits like boosting immunity, aiding calcium absorption, and radiation protection. He recommended introducing Bulgarian yogurt or using Bulgarian fermenting agents to enhance product quality.
ULADZIMIR NIAVESTSENKA, Counsellor of Belarus Embassy in Beijing, stated that a significant portion of Belarus's exports to China comprises agricultural products and food, signifying the trust of Chinese partners. Belarus confidently declares its readiness to ensure compliance with product quality requirements, considering China’s emphasis on food quality.
Implementing the new development concept is an essential path for China’s growth and expansion in the new era. Under the moderation of Guo Xiangdan, Deputy Director General of Departments of Food Production Safety Regulation of State Administration for Market Regulation, key figures in the food industry shared their insights and experiences. These figures included Wang Aizhu, Vice Chairman of Agri-Food Enterprises China of Charoen Pokphand Group; Xue Huayun, Commercial General Manager of North Asia and Australia of Cargill Food Solutions; Li Rongjie, Chairman of BBCA Group; Li Quan, Chief Executive Officer of TECHLEX Food Co., Ltd; Chen Yingrang, Chief Executive Officer of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp.; Cai Pipeng, General Manager of Beverage Division of Fujian Panpan Food Co., LTD; and Narika Kodikara, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China.
In the forum titled ‘Implementing the New Development Concept and Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Food and Agricultural Products Industry,’ they discussed various topics related to the food industry. The focus was on how new development concepts can be integrated into the food industry to enhance quality, innovation, and sustainability. This approach is crucial for the industry’s long-term competitiveness and ability to meet evolving consumer demands and environmental challenges.
Guo Xiangdan highlighted that implementing the new development concept is a necessary path for our country’s growth and expansion in the new era. The food industry, as a pillar of the national economy and a foundation for people’s livelihood, is also a crucial field for implementing this new concept.
Narika Kodikara, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China, shared that bilateral cooperation between China and Sri Lanka has rapidly developed under the mutual concern of leaders from both countries, with growing trade volume and deepening Chinese investments in Sri Lanka. She briefly introduced Sri Lanka’s measures and achievements in promoting high-quality development of the food industry.
Wang Aizhu, Vice Chairman of Agri-Food Enterprises China of Charoen Pokphand Group, emphasized that food safety is the lifeblood of a food enterprise and a responsible and accountable performance. CP Group actively implements the national food safety strategy, strictly adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and standards, continuously improves its internal food safety management system, and consistently provides safe, healthy, nutritious, and delicious CP foods for the Chinese market.
Xue Huayun, Commercial General Manager of North Asia and Australia, Cargill Food Solutions, stressed that innovation is key to high-quality development in the food industry. Innovation, being the first of the five new development concepts, focuses on solving the problem of development dynamics. For a company like Cargill, innovation has played a crucial role in its development over the past 158 years.
Li Rongjie, Chairman of BBCA Group, mentioned the decline in organic matter and nutrient content in China’s farmland due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers, impacting crop yield and quality. Fengyuan’s straw sugar by-product, an efficient organic fertilizer, can be returned to the fields, transforming farmland into fertile land and producing good grains for China, truly embodying Xi Jinping’s important statement on ensuring that people have enough food that is good and safe to eat.
Li Quan, Chief Executive Officer of TECHLEX Food Co., Ltd, shared that the company has invested nearly 500 million to complete digital transformation. The most crucial aspect of making food is to ensure consumer safety from farm to table, and thus full traceability has always been a focus for the company.
Chen Yingrang, Chief Executive Officer of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., expressed his anticipation to use the CIIE and the Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum as high-end platforms to strengthen exchanges with government departments, industry associations, research institutions, peers in the food industry, and media friends. He aims to deepen comprehensive cooperation, jointly enhance food safety standards, and better safeguard people’s safety on their taste buds.
Cai Pipeng, General Manager of the Beverage Division of Panpan Food Group, stated that Panpan Food will continue to firmly implement the new development concept, firmly grasp the primary task of high-quality development, and believes that focus leads to depth, depth leads to excellence, and excellence leads to extraordinary. Panpan Food aims to build a new development pattern through brand renewal, product development, channel upgrades, and terminal efforts, promoting high-quality development in the leisure food industry.
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Belt and Road Eco-Agriculture and Food Safety Forum. Over the past decade, the forum has successfully held 15 sessions within the framework of National Food Safety Publicity Week and the China International Import Expo. It has played a crucial role in promoting high-quality development and cooperation in the agriculture and food industries along the Belt and Road countries. The forum has significantly contributed to the development and safety of the agricultural and food industries in these countries and has facilitated smooth international trade along the Belt and Road.
