国内英语新闻:China to deepen agricultural cooperation with U.S

FAST GROWTH IN AGRICULTURAL TRADE

Han said the fast growth of bilateral agricultural trade has greatly promoted the industrial restructuring of agriculture and made agricultural produce more abundant for the two countries.

Bilateral agricultural trade volume has increased to 24.5 billion U.S. dollars from 4.1 billion U.S. dollars during 2001 to 2010, with an average annual growth of 22 percent, according to official statistics.

In 2010, China imported 18.6 billion U.S. dollars-worth of agricultural produce from the United States. This accounted for 13 percent of the United States' total agricultural exports, said Han, noting China has become the main destination for U.S. agricultural exports.

In the same year, China exported 5.8 billion U.S. dollars-worth of agricultural produce to the United States, 12 percent of its total exports in the area. The United States is the third-biggest recipient of Chinese agricultural exports.

Although the proportion of agricultural trade in bilateral total trade volume is not high, the two countries still attach great importance to it due to the unique features of the agricultural industry, said Han.

The growing challenges posed by food security and climate change have also promoted cooperation between the two agricultural industries, he added.