On October 16th, the “One Country, One Product” initiative for Pacific Island countries kicked off in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, drawing over 120 representatives from governments, enterprises, and academic institutions in both the Pacific Islands and China.
Jiangsu’s Vice Governor Zhao Yan emphasized that Jiangsu serves as a vital gateway for China to connect with the world. Despite the vast ocean separating Jiangsu from the Pacific Islands, the two have maintained close ties and deep friendships. In recent years, they have focused on strengthening the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly through agricultural collaboration, leading to a series of successful projects.
The “One Country, One Product” action plan was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2021 and has garnered widespread support from multiple nations. In May 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in collaboration with the Jiangsu Provincial Government, established the China-Pacific Island Countries Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Center. Over the past year, this center has engaged in extensive cooperation with countries like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, focusing on agricultural technology training and the establishment of agricultural cooperation demonstration zones.
Qian Bo, the Chinese Special Envoy for Pacific Island Affairs, expressed that China views its relationship with the Pacific Islands through the lens of building a shared future for humanity and values the deep friendship established with these nations. He noted that this initiative arrives at a critical time to significantly enhance agricultural development in the Pacific Islands, fostering the creation of more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems.
That day, representatives from eight Pacific Island countries, including Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, showcased their unique agricultural products. Delegates from various nations expressed hope for deeper collaborations in introducing suitable agricultural technologies that would bolster the green development capabilities of Pacific Island agriculture.
This event was co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the China-Pacific Island Countries Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Center, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of the Solomon Islands, with the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences overseeing its organization.
