Interview | Agriculture is an important link connecting France and China - Interview with French agricultural expert Thomas Pavi

Paris, February 24th (Xinhua) - Exclusive Interview | Agriculture is an important link connecting France and China - Interview with French agricultural expert Thomas Pavi

Xinhua News Agency reporter Cui Kexin

Agriculture is not only about land and dining tables, but also about civilization and peace, "said Thomas Pavi, a representative of animal husbandry, breeding, and dairy industry at the French National Agriculture and Seafood Administration, in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency, introducing his understanding of agricultural cooperation between France and China.

The 62nd French International Agricultural Fair opened on the 21st at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris, France. At the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion held on the day of the exhibition, Pavi told reporters that China has a profound and extensive food system, and it is particularly important for China to personally tell the story of "Chinese flavor" at international agricultural exhibitions. This is not only a product display, but also a dialogue between civilizations.

Pavel lived and worked in China 15 years ago and is no stranger to China. In his view, there are many similarities between France and China at the cultural level, reflected in cuisine, agriculture, traditional rituals, and folk customs.

He specifically mentioned a Chinese character - 'home', whose pictographic meaning left a deep impression on him. In the agricultural era of France, livestock also meant the foundation for starting a family and business, and the dowry in marriage was often a pig or a cow. Pavi believes that this cultural resonance across the Eurasian continent reflects that agriculture is an important link connecting France and China.

This bond has now extended to the fields of economic and technological cooperation. Pawey has been researching animal breeding for a long time. He gave an example that through cross-border cooperation and hybrid improvement of genetic resources of cattle, pigs and other species, complementary advantages can be achieved.

Pavi said that France is known as the "country of ham", which also contains the contribution of "Chinese genes". "Nowadays, French pigs actually have some Chinese ancestry". The new pig breed developed through French Chinese cooperation hybridization combines the advantages of both countries' respective breeds; The improved French pig breeds are exported to China to serve the upgrading of the local breeding industry and form a virtuous cycle of two-way interaction.

At the same time, Chinese aquatic products have also been brought to the French dining table. A considerable proportion of fish and shrimp products in the French market come from China, and these products have already been integrated into the daily lives of local consumers. In Pavi's view, this pattern of "you in me, I in you" reflects the highly complementary and deeply integrated agricultural structures of the two countries.

Therefore, Pawey pointed out that in the context of climate change, environmental pressure, and geopolitical uncertainty, the strategic significance of agricultural cooperation is highlighted.

He highly praised China's development in the fields of agricultural robots and intelligent equipment. China is at the forefront of agricultural robot applications, and France is also actively promoting precision agriculture. Both sides can strengthen technical exchanges, jointly improve efficiency, save water and drought, and reduce carbon emissions. In his view, strengthening cooperation among countries is the key path to addressing global challenges.

When it comes to the uncertainty of the current international trade environment, Pavi's attitude is clear: "Some countries use trade as a tool of struggle, while France and China have always regarded trade as a bridge to promote peace. We should continue to move forward along this path