China and France have issued a Joint Declaration promoting a wide array of goals spanning political, security, economic and trade-related issues, and including specific reference to co-operation in the field of “agro-ecology” and “food processing”.

 

At the invitation President Xi Jinping, the state visit to the People’s Republic of China by French President Emmanuel Macron from 8-10 January saw the two leaders meet for an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and major international issues.

 

“China and France support co-operation in the fields of modern agro-ecology and food processing,” stated a translated excerpt of the Joint Declaration issued by the two countries on Tuesday (9th January). “Considering that the opening of markets for safe and quality products is in the interest of both China and France, they reaffirm the importance of facilitating trade in agri-food products based on international standards while respecting respective national legal procedures, and intend to continue to deepen co-operation on quality control. 

 

“Efforts to promote trade and guarantee safety”

 

“Both sides attach great importance to the quarantine and inspection of French beef export to China. They agree to take it as a priority in their co-operation in the coming six months and make efforts to promote trade and guarantee safety. The Chinese side undertakes to grant approval to French pork and dairy products companies, particularly infant dairy products companies, which meet the requirements. China intends to continue its exchanges with the French side on the prevention and control of bird flu and to work to lift relevant embargo as soon as possible. 

 

“China and France fully recognise the active role of the China-France Mixed Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food in promoting agricultural cooperation, and will hold its fifth meeting in 2018 in France,” the Joint Declaration announced.