Vice Minister Chen Xiaohua attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the Symposium on Food Security Cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Urumqi, capital city of Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, on Sept.21, 2016. 　

Focusing on the theme of "innovation in agricultural development modes for common food security", the Symposium reviewed the cooperation achievements among SCO member states in food security and analyzed the challenges. Participants shared experience and practices in adopting innovative modes for agricultural development and ensuring food security in their respective countries, and discussed the direction for further cooperation in food security among SCO.

At the Symposium, Vice Minister Chen put forward the following suggestions for SCO cooperation on food security:

(1) Enhancing connection of development strategies to promote the coordinated agricultural development in the region; 　
(2) Strengthening cooperation in agricultural technology, enhancing the role of technology in boosting agricultural development; and
(3) Promoting agricultural productivity cooperation and upgrading agricultural value chain.

The Symposium laid the foundation for the pragmatic cooperation in food security among the SCO member states. It also played a positive role in the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and agricultural exchanges and cooperation between China and other SCO member states, with the advantageous location and resources of Xinjiang. Over 90 participants attended the Symposium.

During his stay in Urumqi, Vice Minister Chen also attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 3rd China Quality Fruit Promotion of China-Eurasia Expo and toured the Expo. Representatives from 15 countries covered by the Belt and Road Initiative attended the promotion, including Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and South Sudan.