May 7, 2007

China's Tong Wei Group builds new aquatic research centre 

China's Tongwei Group has signed a cooperation agreement with China's Fishery Academy's Freshwater Fisheries Research Centre to build an Aquatic Research and Development Centre in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. 

Wuxi is rich in water resources, with the Taihu Lake splitting the city in half and Yangtze River flowing near its northern border.

The director of Tongwei Group, Liu Hanyuan and the supervisor of Freshwater Fisheries Research Centre, Xu Pao signed the agreement.

According to the company, the agreement was the result of cordial relations between both organizations since 2005. It was part of an effort to bring synergy to corporate and research entities through the utilization of each other's strengths to tap the Chinese market.

Tongwei's Aquatic Research Centre would focus on research of feed substitute and improvement for crucian carp and bream fish. Such improvement includes achieving a higher protein level and feed efficiency while striving to win local and central government approval.

Faced with the diversity growing in China's aquaculture industry and new production methods constantly emerging, Liu hopes the new centre would be actively involved in research on breed selection, breed improvement and better rearing standards. Liu hopes the centre could research more products of economic significance and enlarge the field of its research to bring Chinese aquaculture to a higher level.