In mid-March, a delegation of 6 people from the Republic of the Philippines headed by Shi Gongqi, a Philippines Chinese-commuity leader and Special Envoy of the President to China as well as president of Liwayway Group, and Bermadette Fatima Puyat, Deputy Minister of The Philippine Department of Agriculture visited CATAS. The Philippines delegates were welcomed by Professor Liu Guodao, Vice President of CATAS, and heads of Division of International Cooperation and Graduate Training Division, etc.

The Delegation Visits Exhibition Hall of CATAS

The Philippines delegates were briefed by CATAS scientists the development of Chinese cassava industry and the cooperation with the Philippines, and proposals for further cooperation, such as joint construction of experimental stations, strengthening academic exchanges, joint aplication for research projects, personnel training, diversifying academic exchanges and cooperation funding channels, and co-organizing international science and technology innovation forums. Mr. Shi Gongqi hoped to strengthen cooperation with CATAS in agricultural products processing and jointly develop new cassava processing technology to promote the economic development of the Philippines and multi-cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative. Ms. Bermadette Fatima Puyat, showed keen interest in the research fields and products of CATAS and strong desire for mutual cooperation. She said, “I attach importance to the good relationship with China and look forward to making closer cooperation with Hainan in agriculture.” She arranged her assistant Ms. Garcia to contact with CATAS to form an applicable and sustainable cooperation framework agreement.

Discussion and Exchanges between the Philippines Delegation and CATAS