Beijing, China
July 29, 2015
The Beijing 2015 World Potato Congress (WPC) opened in Yanqing County of Beijing on July 28, 2015. Minister Han Changfu, Vice Mayor of Beijing Lin Keqing and Mr. David Thompson, President and CEO of WPC Inc., attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the Congress.
In his speech at the Congress, Minister Han noted that China is a major country in both potato production and consumption.In recent years, China has redoubled support and boosted technical innovation, spurring fast development of potatoindustry.Currently, China has an acreage of over 5.5 million hectares of potato farming. It is the second time for Beijing to hold WPC, indicating the recognition of international community to China's achievements in potato industry and strong support to its further development.
Vice Mayor Lin Keqing stated that Beijing will take advantage of opportunities provided by the WPC and develop new varieties, products and technologies, and further diversify seed potato system as well. Beijing will increase support in academic research and industrial development and strengthen international cooperation in this area.
For his part, David Thompson thanked MOA and the People's Government of Beijing for their considerate preparation and hardwork to make the WPC successful. The WPC Inc. is ready to join hands with China to meet people's demand for food diversification and ensure world food security.
Concurrent events with the WPC include the 17th China Potato Congress closed on July 27, the on-going China International Potato Industry Expo kicked off on July 28 and the International Seminar on Potato Staple Food and Industry Development to be held on July 29, 2015.
Vice Minister Qu Dongyu and Chief Economist Bi Meijia also attended the WPC opening ceremony.
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