On May 21, sponsored by Chinese Embassy in Kiribati and Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences(CATAS), the "China (Hainan) -Kiribati Coconut Production and Processing Technology Exchange Meeting by Network" jointly attended by CATAS and Kiribati Coconut Development Co., Ltd. was held in Wenchang, Hainan and Tarawa, capital of Kiribati. More than 30 people including Chinese Embassy in Kiribati, Ministry of Commerce of Kiribati, Coconut Production Enterprise of Kiribati and vice president of CATAS, Prof. LIU Guodao and the director of Coconut Research Institute of CATAS(CRICATAS), Prof. WANG Fuyou conducted an online communication by network.
The Network Connection
At the meeting, Prof. FAN Haikuo, deputy director of CRICATAS, introduced the new varieties of coconut, high-yield cultivation of coconut, comprehensive prevention and control technology of Brontispa Longissima and deep processing technology of coconut. Then the participants exchanged views on the breeding and high-yield cultivation of coconut varieties, value chain promotion of coconut processing industry, technology and equipment improvement of virgin coconut oil processing, and soil amelioration of island countries, and watched the tropical agricultural products exhibition online. Experts, technicians and Officials from Ministry of Commerce of Kiribati all said that under the influence of the global COVID-19 epidemic, the online exchange meeting was very successful. The participants of Kiribati thanks to the detailed explanations from Chinese experts, which let them in-depth understanding of coconut production and processing technology and see a lot of coconut products. Coconut industry of Kiribati and China still have a certain gap. In the future, both sides can have more cooperation in the coconut industry.
Tarawa Venue
Mr. HUANG Xuechu, political counselor of Chinese Embassy in Kiribati, said that China and Kiribati resumed diplomatic relations in September 2019, and the President of Kiribati, Mr. MA MAO, paid a successful state visit to China in January 2020, during which the two heads of state signed a series ofcooperation agreements. This online exchange meeting is a concrete measure taken by relevant departments of China and Kiribati to implement the spirit of the meeting between the two heads of state. It was a highly effective and targeted exchange that embodied the spirit of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. After the epidemic of COVID-19, the embassy will continue to support and promote the mutual visits and exchanges between enterprises of China and Kiribati.
Wenchang Venue
Prof. LIU Guodao, vice president of CATAS, said that experts from CATAS are willing to visit Kiribati to investigate the coconut and soil conditions, hold a coconut technology training courses, give advice on the development of the coconut industry, and work together to strengthen the coconut industry.
