China seeks to promote agriculture cooperation with Italy

Milan, June 9 -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang here on Tuesday hoped China and Italy can expand agriculture cooperation, calling for more open market and closer cooperation on customs, quality control, and logistics.

Wang made the call at a trade forum focusing on agricultural goods, which was attended by hundreds of entrepreneurs and officials.

"China has never intended to seek trade surplus," he said.

Wang also proposed the agriculture departments of the two countries to play a bigger role as guides and coordinators in bilateral agriculture cooperation, and maintain a smooth communication.

Concerning global agricultural issues, Wang hoped the two countries can enhance communication and coordination in food security and climate change, and work together to act against trade protectionism and set up a fair and stable international trade order for agricultural goods.

The two-way agricultural goods trade volume between China and Italy had risen from 250 million U.S. dollars in 2000 to 1.16 billion U.S. Dollars in 2014.