On December 15, Consul & Head of Post Ren Faqiang of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag was invited to attend the Chinese corn seed planting activity of the Mariano Marcos State University held at the university’s President’s Farm.

In his speech, MMSU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Business Nathaniel R. Alibuyog introduced the cooperative research of MMSU with the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He also discussed the expected outcomes of the four varieties of corn seeds planted that day and some other parameters. He then thanked the Consulate for its continued support in the cooperation between the two academic institutions.

Meanwhile, Consul Ren expressed that China and the Philippines are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. He said that both countries attach great importance to agricultural development, and that food for the people is top priority, as well as agriculture as an important area for China-Philippines cooperation.

The Consul explained that the batch of improved corn varieties provided to MMSU came from Shandong Province, which is also the sister province of Ilocos Norte, and was given through the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences for trial planting research. With this, he hopes that the corn seeds will grow under the careful care of the professors and students, and also hopes that the cooperation between China and MMSU in various fields will produce even greater results.

“What we sow together today are the seeds of hope, the seeds of growing China-Philippines friendship and cooperation,” Consul Ren added.

After the ceremony, Consul Ren, Vice President Alibuyog, and nearly a hundred professors and students from the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development of MMSU went to the field to plant the corn seeds from China.