The Opening Ceremony of the Week of “Forum on Scientific and Technological Innovation Underpinning Rural Revitalization” of the 20th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals hosted by China Association for International Exchange of Personnel and jointly undertaken by the Organizing Committee of the Conference on International Exchange of Professionals and Omron (China) Co., Ltd. was held online on June 22, 2022. The Week lasting for 4 days consisted of two thematic forums and two project promotion meetings.

On the Opening Day, the First Forum themed on the “Status Quo and Prospect of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation and Talent Exchange in Agriculture” was held. Li Xin, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Expert Services, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China; MIKAMI Yoshiyuki, Counsellor from the Economic Office of the Embassy of Japan in China; Yang Qichang, Deputy Director of Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Director of Chengdu National Agricultural Science and Technology Center; Hayashi Eri, Vice President of Japan Plant Factory Association (JPFA), a Non-Profit Organization; Guo Zhongxiao, Vice President of Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Mikhail Korman, Vice President of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Romania; and Prof. Jihong Liu Clarke, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) delivered speeches online. The Forum was presided over by Qin Tao, Deputy Director of China Association for International Exchange of Personnel. In addition, guests from the competent departments for science and technology in all provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities directly under the central government/cities specifically designated in the state plan/sub-provincial cities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, as well as those from some agricultural colleges and universities, scientific research institutes, agricultural high-tech industry demonstration zones, national innovative counties (cities) and agricultural enterprises in China also participated in the Forum online.

Li Xin introduced the international cooperation and talent exchange in agricultural science and technology innovation at present in China, as well as the active measures accordingly taken during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and said that China was willing to work with all old and new friends committed to agricultural development from all over the world to jointly raise the scientific and technological innovation to a new level, so as to provide support for driving the high-quality agricultural development and creating a high-quality life for people all over the world. MIKAMI Yoshiyuki introduced the social surveys and verification tests conducted in Japan for the popularization of smart agriculture, as well as the positive steps taken in this regard, and said that Japan was looking forward to more exchange, learning and cooperation with other countries in the world. Yang Qichang introduced the technological path to driving rural revitalization with urban agriculture as the carrier as well as its present development, and said that the urban agriculture, as one of the important modes of modern high-efficiency agriculture, could satisfy various demands when offering high-quality agricultural and sideline products for urban residents relying on the scientific and technological talents, funds and markets in urban areas. Hayashi Eri introduced the collaborative innovation for next generation plant factory conducted by JPFA, and said that JPFA was looking forward to active cooperation with China and other countries as carrying out international cooperation was one of its important tasks. Guo Zhongxiao introduced the work carried out by Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences to boost rural revitalization through scientific and technological innovation from four aspects, including basic information, technological achievements, international cooperation and future planning. Mikhail Korman introduced the results and achievements of Romania in fruit growing by taking Research Institute for Fruit Growing (RIFG) Pitesti as an example, and said that they were looking forward to sharing more experience in this regard through international cooperation with all countries in Asia. Jihong Liu Clarke introduced the progress made in SiEuGreen, the China-Europe H2020 Flagship Project jointly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and the European Union, and proposed the establishment of cooperation mechanisms to jointly conduct research on urban agriculture. After the speeches, relevant participants had interaction and exchanges with the guests.

The Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) is now a comprehensive state-level event for exhibitions and negotiations with global reach in China, aiming at promoting international technological innovations and exchange of international professionals. As an integral part of the CIEP, the “Forum on Scientific and Technological Innovation Underpinning Rural Revitalization” driven by demands aimed to provide opportunities for international cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and talent exchange in agriculture and rural areas and build a platform for serving rural revitalization in a practical way by making the most of its scientific and technological innovation and expert resources and sharing ideas and experiences in the agricultural and rural development.