A 15-member delegation of entrepreneurs and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and other parts of the government visited Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) on Nov 4.

The two sides had in-depth conversations on deepening exchanges and cooperation in agriculture such as cotton and promoting cooperative projects.

Yan Jianbing, president of HZAU, Zhang Xianlong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zeng Hongxia, director of HZAU's Department of International Cooperation and Exchange, and Jin Shuangxia, dean of the College of Plant Sciences & Technology, attended the symposium.

A symposium is held between HZAU and the delegation from Uzbekistan. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

After extending a warm welcome to the delegation, Yan reviewed the partnership between the two sides and expected promising prospects from their cooperation. He said the university fully supports the exchanges and cooperation with Uzbekistan in scientific research and other aspects.

He pointed out that the team led by Zhang has achieved world-leading results in cotton genomics and gene editing molecular marker-assisted breeding technology, adding that he looked forward to the two sides continuing to deepen their cooperation.

He also emphasized that the university will continue to promote the high-quality development of agricultural science and technology cooperation with other Belt and Road countries, especially Uzbekistan, and make greater contributions to the global agricultural industry.

The Uzbekistani side pointed out that China and Uzbekistan have had close exchanges and a sound foundation for cooperation and that the delegation's visit is a pragmatic measure for the two sides to carry out regular exchanges and cooperation. The delegation hoped that the cooperation in cotton breeding and cultivation can be fruitful, with both sides giving full play to their advantages and coordinating resources.

At the meeting, Jin spoke in detail about the group of cotton genetic improvements, from its technical innovation to its academic influence, as well as its teachers, layout and future development.

The delegation also visited the National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, the cotton greenhouse and the phenotyping platform.

This visit is the third friendly exchange between HZAU and Uzbekistan this year, which not only deepens the cooperation between China and Uzbekistan in the field of agricultural science and technology, but also paves the way for future scientific research cooperation between the two sides.