The 22nd China International Agricultural Products Fair (CAI) was recently held in Tianjin. One of the main highlights was the China–Shanghai Cooperation Organization Agricultural International Cooperation Pavilion, which drew great interest from visitors. Sri Lankan exhibitor Anura was busy introducing various kinds of black tea at his booth, saying, “These are floral and fruity teas, all grown in Sri Lanka,” as he handed out samples.
“I came to China in 1995 and have lived here for more than 30 years,” said Anura with a smile, calling China his “second home.” Through this fair, he not only hopes to promote Sri Lankan black tea and spices further in China but also to bring China’s advanced agricultural technologies back to Sri Lanka. “We are discussing introducing China’s high-quality rice seeds and greenhouse cultivation techniques to the arid central regions of Sri Lanka,” he said. “This will increase yields and help farmers raise their incomes.”
This year’s international exhibition area featured 66 enterprises from 19 countries and regions across five continents, including Thailand, Brazil, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Uganda, showcasing the agricultural cooperation achievements of Belt and Road partner countries.
Since this year marks the 50th anniversary of China–Thailand diplomatic relations, Thailand was invited as the guest country of honor at the fair. Its booth featured a variety of products—from durian and green mangoes to rubber goods and innovative foods—along with Thai cuisine and performances that captivated visitors.
“Today, agricultural cooperation between Thailand and China is multi-dimensional. We hope to learn more advanced agricultural technologies from China,” said Klaison Sisuwong, Deputy Director of the Operations Department of the Rubber Authority of Thailand. He added, “By leveraging China’s advanced technologies in areas such as drone applications, we can optimize fertilizer use and improve the quality of our agricultural products. It’s a mutually beneficial partnership.”
For Chinese enterprises, the fair also served as an opportunity to expand their international network. Guangdong Zhongli Agricultural Group, which exports its products to over 20 countries and regions, has established a full industrial chain covering seed R&D, cultivation, processing, cold-chain storage, global sales, and brand promotion. “We are constantly seeking high-quality product resources and global partners both domestically and internationally,” said Li Zhuofeng, the company’s Marketing Director.
In recent years, China has been actively participating in global food and agriculture governance, jointly releasing the Vision and Action on Jointly Promoting Agricultural Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative with relevant countries, and signing over 100 agricultural and fisheries cooperation agreements with nearly 90 partner countries and international organizations. These initiatives have helped promote modern agricultural development and income growth in partner nations.
Through platforms like the Agricultural Products Fair, more and more cooperative practices are moving from exhibitions to farmlands, from products to industries, symbolizing the upgraded version of agricultural cooperation between China and Belt and Road countries.
“Agricultural cooperation is not just about trade—it’s about the exchange of technology and culture,” Anura said. “I hope the seeds of this cooperation can spread even farther.”