On April 24, WFA's Secretary General Zhang Qi, together with a Chinese delegation, met with Lao's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Phet Phomphiphak. The two sides had fruitful discussions on ways to enhance agricultural collaboration and allow the internationalization of agricultural products, which could potentially contribute to the promotion of economic exchanges between the two countries.

Zhang Qi began the conference by explaining WFA's goal and objective, as well as its significant role in global agricultural development and economic cooperation. He emphasized that WFA has always been devoted to developing global agricultural exchanges and cooperation, assisting its members in raising agricultural development levels and promoting agricultural goods in the international market.

Zhang Qi gave an overview of the splendor and accomplishments of the two Global Peasant Forums that WFA hosted in China recently. He also presented data and vivid cases that illustrated China's influence in the global agricultural arena and the significant role that WFA plays in advancing the exchange of agricultural knowledge and technological innovation.

When discussing WFA's development goals in Laos, Zhang Qi offered forward-looking remarks. He believed that the platform would improve economic cooperation between China and Laos in agriculture, encourage the spread of Laos' high-quality agricultural goods in Chinese and Southeast Asian markets, and help Lao agriculture achieve global growth. At the same time, he proposed establishing the Southeast Asia Branch of World Agricultural Research Institute and WPA Training Center in Vientiane, Laos, to provide intellectual and technical support for the development of Lao agriculture.

Phet Phomphiphak welcomed Zhang Qi’s suggestion and pledged his full support. He believed that implementing these projects would significantly advance the development of Lao agriculture, increase the international competitiveness of agricultural goods, and provide additional advantages to Lao peasants. He stated that the Lao Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry will fully work with the Chinese side to guarantee that the essential projects move forward smoothly.  

During the talks, the director of the Vientiane Provincial Department of Agriculture and relevant officials of Vientiane City, as well as the permanent honorary president of Hunan Chamber of Commerce in Laos, Song Jiefeng, president of Yunnan Chamber of Commerce in Laos, Zheng Hong, and executive president of Yunnan Chamber of Commerce in Laos, Liu Tinghua, et al., spoke one after another. They unanimously expressed their expectations for the broad prospects of agricultural cooperation between China and Laos, and promised to actively engage in important projects and contribute to the sustainable agricultural growth of Laos.