EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Cioloș is in Beijing, China this week, as part of a bid to strengthen EU-China cooperation in the areas of agriculture and rural development.

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Ciolos has been in China since Monday, and will be meeting leading members of the Chinese government and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences over the course of his stay. During his visit, the Commissioner will attend meetings on a range of issues from counterfeiting in the wines and spirits industry to establishing equivalency for organic products.

The Commissioner will also broach topics such as food security, agricultural research and sustainable management of natural resources. As well as attempting to foster greater cooperation, Ciolos' visit is also aiming to boost the dialogue on trade between the EU and China.

Commissioner Ciolos said, "Agriculture is of strategic importance for both the EU and China in our efforts to address challenges such as ensuring food security, fighting climate change, and achieving a balanced development of rural territories.

"Based on a long term, trustful and open collaboration, our trade relations in the area of food and agriculture are growing. Following last year's agreement for a cooperation plan on agriculture, that has already started producing concrete results, I believe there is still an enormous potential for development for the benefit of both parties."