China Aims to Double Farm Trade with Japan, S. Korea

November 10, 2018

Beijing--Chinese agriculture minister Han Changfu expressed his country's hopes on Saturday to double farm product trade with Japan and South Korea to 30 billion dollars or more over the next 10 years.

China apparently aims to promote free trade in response to the protectionist policy of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Japan is likely to have an opportunity to increase shipments to the large Chinese market.

During a meeting of the agriculture ministers of Japan, China and South Korea held in Beijing, Han said that China wants to strengthen trilateral cooperation in agricultural technologies and trade, according to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

China is believed to be intending to introduce cutting-edge farming technologies from Japan and South Korea and boost farm product imports, while aiming for an expansion of exports to the Japanese and South Korean markets.

Meanwhile, African swine fever has spread in China, and the Japanese and South Korean governments are worried strongly and eager to prevent infections in their countries.

At the meeting, the three ministers agreed to hold a regular meeting of government officials in charge of the livestock industry to exchange information including on African swine fever.

Japanese agriculture minister Takamori Yoshikawa told a joint press conference that the three ministers confirmed common ground and a need for mutual cooperation on many issues. Jiji Press