Cooperation and exchange with other countries have increasingly expanded. One after another, China has singed agro-cooperative agreements with many developing and developed countries and carried out bilateral economic and technical cooperation activities. China has also established close relationship with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other international organizations.
Already, agricultural sector has received a large amount of foreign fund and introduced various technology and improved seeds from abroad. In 1998, the total value of agricultural import and export was US$16.4 billion, of which import value was US$11.1 billion and export value US$5.3 billion.
Since the reform and opening-up, China has introduced foreign capital to agriculture through various channels and forms. The amount has kept growing.
In 2000, the total number of projects with foreign investment was up to 10,857 and the total agreed amount of foreign capital was US$18.6 billion. Specifically, foreign loan (including preferential loans) accounted for about 40 percent, the agreed amount of direct foreign investment about 55 percent and the foreign assistance about 5 percent.
Foreign capital introduced through various channels has not only made up the shortage in domestic investment in agriculture but also has brought along the increasing of domestic investment. It has also played a great role in alleviating poverty, accelerating the introduction of advanced technologies and improved variety from other countries, and promoting the process of industrialized farming operations.
Edited by CECAT
2003/02/12
