Wu Hongyao, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, met with Uzbek Minister of Agriculture Aziz Voitov in Samarkand on Sept. 6. They exchanged views on strengthening China–Uzbekistan agricultural cooperation. 

Vice Minister Wu said that the leaders of China and Uzbekistan pay close attention to agriculture as an area of cooperation. In recent years, with the direct concerns and support of the leaders from both countries, high-level agricultural exchange between the two sides has been unceasing, and cooperation in agriculture and rural affairs has continuously developed. China is willing to make joint efforts with Uzbekistan to fully deliver the consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen economic and trade cooperation in agriculture, and strengthen agricultural S&T exchange in areas such as breeding salt-tolerant and drought-resistant crops, soil improvement, water-saving irrigation, and smart agriculture, all of which will propel the China–Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. 

Minister Voitov spoke highly of the effectiveness of cooperation in agriculture and rural affairs between the two countries. He agreed with Vice Minister Wu’s suggestions, saying Uzbekistan is ready to work together with China to push bilateral cooperation to a new level.