China and the United Kingdom recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) seeking to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by the Chinese agriculture minister, Han Changfu, and British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Elizabeth Truss.

Each of the two countries, the Chinese official said, has its strengths agriculturally. And both have a long history of cooperation, he added.

The accord calls for the creation of a Joint Committee on Cooperation in Agriculture, which is going to be set up soon, Mr. Han said.

Ms. Truss, meanwhile, expressed her government's eagerness to work with China on agricultural productivity, quality, safety, trade and environmental protection.