On July 17th, 2023, China - Central Asia International Conference on the Innovation and Cooperation of Agricultural Science and Technology was held in Xinjiang Changji. More than 20 experts and scholars from China, the five Central Asian countries, and other countries along the "Belt and Road" initiative, as well as nearly 300 experts and scholars including academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, attended the conference. Together, they explored new opportunities for China-Central Asia exchanges and cooperation, and jointly composed a new chapter of mutual complementary and integration of strengths.

The seminar was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the People's Government of Changji Prefecture, and jointly organized by 10 organizations including the Western Agricultural Research Institute of CAAS (Xinjiang Science and Technology Aid Command) and the Cotton Research Institute of CAAS, with the support of 15 organizations including the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the CAAS.

The meeting focused on strengthening China - Central Asia agricultural science and technology innovation and cooperation, to promote the "Belt and Road" countries along the high quality development of agriculture theme, through the study of experience exchange and sharing, strengthen the international cooperation and collaborative innovation in agriculture, and promote the high quality development of agriculture. The meeting also set up seven parallel forums, focusing on saline and alkaline land management and development, water-saving irrigation, pest control, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, cotton bio-breeding and comprehensive utilization, the current situation of mining and industrial development of specialty fruits and forests, vocational education to promote the development of agricultural cooperation between Asia and Europe to carry out scientific research exchanges and seminars.

The conference focuses on strengthening China-Central Asia agricultural science and technology innovation and cooperation, promoting the high-quality development of agriculture in countries along the "Belt and Road" initiative. It aims to promote high-quality agricultural development through research, experience sharing, enhancing international cooperation, and collaborative innovation in agriculture. The conference also features seven parallel forums, which cover topics such as saline-alkali land remediation and development, water-saving irrigation, prevention and control of pests and diseases, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, cotton bio-breeding and comprehensive utilization, exploration and industrial development of unique fruit and forest resources, and the role of vocational education in promoting Asia-Europe agricultural cooperation and development.

During the conference, the China-Central Asia Agricultural Research Center of CAAS was unveiled and established. The China-Central Asia Agricultural Research Center is built under the framework of the Western Agricultural Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Its purpose is to coordinate the scientific research strengths of domestic institutions such as CAAS, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinjiang Animal Science Academy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, and Shihezi University. The center will serve as a cooperation platform to promote joint research, academic exchange, talent introduction, technology export, and achievement promotion of agricultural science and technology between China and the five Central Asian countries, and a gateway for China-Central Asia cooperation.

In his speech, Mei Xurong, Deputy Director of CAAS, said that as the gateway for China's outreach to Central Asia and the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang has unique advantages in terms of external openness, technology, economy, and culture. CAAS will fully leverage the functions of the Xinjiang Science and Technology Support Command, and through the convening of this seminar, promote the normalization and facilitation of agricultural science and technology cooperation and exchanges between China and Central Asian countries. The aim is to expand and deepen agricultural science and technology cooperation between China and countries along the "Belt and Road" route such as Central Asia, and effectively transform Xinjiang's unique geographical advantages into development advantages to serve the high-quality development of regional agriculture.