China and Cambodia Hold First Meeting on "Fish and Rice Corridor" to Boost Agricultural Cooperation

The first meeting on the China-Cambodia "Fish and Rice Corridor" was held in Beijing, co-chaired by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China Zhang Zhili and Prak David, Secretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral agricultural cooperation, discussed a draft cooperation plan for the corridor, and exchanged views on key collaborative projects.

Vice Minister Zhang Zhili stressed that the "Fish and Rice Corridor" is a key initiative agreed upon by the leaders of both countries and serves as a guiding framework for China-Cambodia agricultural cooperation in the new era. He proposed deepening collaboration in six priority areas: crop cultivation, livestock, fisheries, rural livelihood improvement, agricultural modernization, and economic and trade investment to achieve tangible results.

To accelerate progress, Zhang suggested:

1. Finalizing the cooperation plan promptly for an early signing.

2. Strengthening coordination to ensure major projects yield concrete outcomes.

3. Encouraging market entities to actively participate in agricultural trade and investment.

Secretary of State Prak David praised the existing cooperation and expressed Cambodia’s commitment to expanding agricultural trade, technology exchange, and fast-tracking the "Fish and Rice Corridor" to benefit both nations.

The meeting marks a significant step in advancing the two countries' agricultural partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative.