Alexandria, Virginia
December 3,  2001

China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will enhance trade and business opportunities between the U.S. and Chinese seed sectors. Limitations on foreign investors will be removed, creating a more favorable business climate for U.S. seed companies with interests in China. Chinese agriculture specialists will discuss these factors in a press conference at the American Seed Trade Association's (ASTA's) Corn & Sorghum and Soybean Seed Research Conferences on Wed., Dec. 5, 2001 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. They will also discuss ways in which U.S. seed companies can promote themselves in China to take advantage of its opening market.

Wiejun Zhao, Ph.D., professor of international agriculture at Michigan State University, and Song Xunfeng, editor of the Chinese and Foreign Seed Industry edition of China Farmers' Daily*, will address these issues. They will predict increases in U.S. exports of field crop seeds and Chinese exports of vegetable and flower seeds as a result of the changing times. They will also discuss why foreign investment in the Chinese seed sector will likely double or triple in the next few years. Finally, they will discuss how U.S. seed companies can raise their visibility in the Chinese market through the Farmers' Daily.

"China's WTO agreement will work in favor of both the U.S. and Chinese seed sectors," says Zhao. "China will benefit from access to land intensive products, such as vegetable oils and field seed crops, due to its limited land space and the United States will gain from importing China's labor intensive products, such as horticultural seeds.

"Moreover, as 85 percent of all Chinese seed companies are government owned, they are seeking private foreign investors to stimulate their growth. Favorable changes in Chinese rules related to foreign investment will appeal to potential investors."

Through a joint agreement with the Farmers' Daily, ASTA is helping to inform the Chinese agricultural sector about the U.S. seed sector, including the value of intellectual property rights and new technologies. Song, Zhao, and ASTA international marketing staff will discuss this joint venture.

The China Farmers' Daily is the Peoples Republic of China's preeminent agricultural newspaper. It is an official government publication, widely distributed to business people, farmers, and top-level
government ministers.

Founded in 1883, ASTA, located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 850 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to
enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.

ASTA news release
N4010