More than 100 representatives from trade and business industries gathered in London on Friday to learn about agricultural products and investment opportunities in Southwest China’s Sichuan province.

Tea, dried fruits and silk products were just some of the local products from Sichuan featured at the agriculture promotional event. Companies traveling from Sichuan to Europe for the first time since the pandemic displayed goods, receiving a positive response from guests and businesses based in the United Kingdom.

Xu Zhiwen, director general of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, spoke to the audience, giving insight on a broad range of business opportunities on offer, including the upcoming Sichuan Agricultural Expo in Chengdu.

"The event today is aimed at promoting trade in agricultural products, enhancing mutual understanding, and building an exchange platform within the markets of countries along the Belt and Road Initiative," said Xu.

John McLean OBE, chairman of China UK Business Development Center, said the UK has world-class technology and researchers in the field of agricultural science and technology, and is a global leader in the sector.

"We are happy to share the knowledge and technologies with our partners and friends in Sichuan to promote exchanges and cooperation between us in the field of agriculture," said McLean.

Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan CCPIT and the China UK Business Development Center co-hosted the event.

A total 17 agricultural companies from Sichuan joined the event. Nine of them showcased their agricultural technologies and products during the presentation.