China’s Agricultural Diplomacy Under the “Going Global” Strategy

Abstract

Since the inception of the “going global” strategy two decades ago, China has attached increasing importance to agricultural diplomacy. International agricultural cooperation has become both an end and a means of China’s diplomacy, as well as an integral part of China’s “grand diplomacy.” China’s agricultural diplomacy has many features, including: the central government playing a leading role; ministerial agencies undertaking specific programs; local governments being responsible for implementation; and enterprises acting as active participants. All these contribute to China’s overall diplomacy and help maintain food security of the target countries and promote the overseas interests of Chinese enterprises. Through various practices, China’s agricultural diplomacy has been working well with the mutual reinforcement of bilateral and multilateral approaches; and interactions among diversified diplomatic entities are encouraged. China’s agricultural diplomacy has enriched the meaning of “major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” and constitutes an important means for China to participate in global governance and to align with the development plans of target countries. Since China’s agricultural diplomacy is still faced with multiple challenges, it is imperative for China to improve related mechanisms, explore new ways of agricultural cooperation in third countries, and formulate new patterns for agricultural diplomacy along the “Belt and Road.”