[Seite 1]
Memorandum of Understanding on
Advancing the Development of the Sino-German Agricultural Center
between
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
of the People’s Republic of China
and
the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity
of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (MARA) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMLEH) (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”),
In recognition of the strong and fruitful Cooperation, as evidenced by the meeting between the heads of state of both countries in February of this year, applauding the sound Cooperation under the framework of the China-Germany comprehensive Strategie partnership, underlining the importance of enhanced agricultural Cooperation under the fundamental principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win, open dialogue, and joint response to common challenges,
the Participants recall the Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture of the People 's Republic of China and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of the Federal Republic of Germany on a Sino-German Agricultural Center signed in Berlin, 28 March 2014, recognizing the role of the Sino-German Agricultural Center (hereinafter, the “DCZ”) as an efficient and fruitful platform for agricultural policy coordination, Science and technology exchange, and practical Cooperation between the two countries;
they consider the consensus reached by the Participants on further strengthening the DCZ and enhancing Cooperation during previous editions of the Sino-German Agricultural Week, and as outlined in the China-Germany Action Plan on Agricultural Cooperation (2024-2028) and the Joint Declaration of Interest between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of the Federal Republic of Germany: Joint Solutions
[Seite 2]
for a Sustainable Future Sino-German Innovation Partnership on Agroecological Agriculture\
They have reached the following understandings based on friendly consultations:
- Objective
To further elevate bilateral agricultural Cooperation, the Participants seek to deepen Cooperation in policy, Science and technology, corporate interaction, and capacity building, and to expand trade in agri-food products, rural development, food security and Services trade among other areas as well as innovation-oriented engagement on sustainable agricultural transformation, green Innovation and technology and smart agriculture.
- Partners and Organizational Management
MARA and BMLEH will be the official organizations responsible for the DCZ. The Project Steering Committee (PSC), jointly established by MARA and BMLEH, should provide Strategie guidance for the DCZ’s Operation.
The PSC should consist of representatives from the Department of International Cooperation of the BMLEH and the Department of International Cooperation of MARA, heads of the implementing agencies of the Participants, and two managing directors respectively appointed by the Participants. The PSC should at least take place once a year, additional meetings as required.
The Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC) of MARA will be the implementing agency on the Chinese side, while that on the German side should be nominated by BMLEH. The two managing directors will be responsible for the daily Operation of the DCZ, and should both report to the PSC.
- Priority Areas for the Sino-German Agricultural Center
The Participants have come to the understanding to cooperate in the following priority areas:
-
Policy dialogue: Policy exchange and experience sharing should be organized on a regulär basis on topics mutually decided by the Participants.
-
Science and innovation dialogue: The Participants should facilitate joint research and other collaboration between scientific Institutes of the two countries, and promote the application of research outcomes. The Participants concur on the importance of independent and unbiased research, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights and open access to scientific results and transparent data management,
-
Dialogue on agroecology technology: Efforts should be made to enhance field demonstration and capacity building through demonstration farms and agricultural
[Seite 3]
innovation parks, with a focus on soil protection, agricultural input reduction, circular agriculture, and digital technology, etc.
-
Trade and economic Cooperation: The Participants should promote trade and economic Cooperation by leveraging their respective platforras, such as agricultural expos and trade fairs in China, the International Green Week in Germany, and the Sino- German Agricultural Week, to facilitate business exchange, connect enterprises, strengthen industry linkages and promote market opening and market preservation. The DCZ should support these exchange formats in a secretariat function and facilitate the structured involvement of Company representatives, Professional associations, and relevant institutions from both countries.
-
Knowledge exchange and Professional development: Exchange and Professional development activities with special emphasis on young Professionals should be continued and further strengthened, through mutual visits, delegation trips, short-term assignments or training programs.
The aforementioned areas and activities may be adjusted upon mutual consent of the Participants.
The Cooperation will be based on the principles of openness, mutual benefit, reciprocity, and transparency, in line with applicable laws and ethical Standards.
- Financial Arrangements
Subject to budgetary availability, the costs required for the DCZ’s Operation and implementation of activities should be borne by the Participants as decided.
MARA and BMLEH should cooperate closely in the implementation of activities under this MoU, each contributing within their respective capacities. BMLEH should provide technical expertise, including long- and short-term experts, and contribute to the costs of Seminars and training sessions and provide inputs and equipment required for project implementation.
MARA should provide the necessary infrastructure, including office facilities, meeting rooms, training spaces, and relevant staff support.
The scale and forms of the resources to be provided should be specified in the agreement between implementing agencies and approved by the Participants.
- Duration and Evaluation
The Participants have come to the understanding to proceed with the DCZ on the basis of its achievements and experience. The DCZ projecf s duration should be three years, which may be extended by one to two years as appropriate.
The implementing agencies should jointly conduct a mid-term evaluation, then decide through consultations whether or not to extend DCZ projecf s duration, and obtain the
[Seite 4]
Participants’ approval for the Start and end dates. Specific content of DCZ projects should also be jointly determined by the implementing agencies and subject to the Participants’ approval.
- Amendment and Entry into Effect
This Memorandum of Understanding should enter into effect upon signature by the Participants, which simultaneously terminates the Framework Agreement on a Sino- German Agricultural Center signed in Berlin on 28 March 2014. This MOU may be supplemented or amended in writing by mutual consent of the Participants.
Signed in Beijing on June 18, 2026 in duplicate in the English, Chinese and German languages, all texts being equivalent. In case of divergent interpretations, the English text will be used.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food Affairs of the People’s Republic of and Regional Identity of the Federal China Republic of Germany