A series of international technology exchange events under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) took place in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on October 24, highlighting growing cooperation between China and Latin America in bioenergy, green agriculture and technology transfer. Held under the guidance of the Department of International Cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, the events were jointly organized by the Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (BIOMA) and the Sichuan Science and Technology Exchange Center. The program featured a review of progress under Phase II of the China–Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center, the launch of the Argentina Node of the Chengdu–Chongqing Belt and Road International Technology Transfer Center, and technical discussions on bioenergy and green agriculture.

Researchers, industry representatives and institutional delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and other countries joined their Chinese counterparts from research institutions, universities and businesses to explore technological advances and potential partnerships in bioenergy and sustainable agriculture. Among the attendees who delivered remarks were Liu Wende, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation at CAAS; Liu Jurong, Deputy Director-General of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology; Meng Haibo, Director-General of BIOMA; and representatives of the Embassy of the Argentina in China and Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA).

The event highlighted the achievements of Phase II of the China–Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center. The BIOMA project team presented progress made by the China–Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center and outlined opportunities for broader collaboration between China and Latin America. Since its establishment in 2021, the center has made substantial progress in joint research, capacity building and technology applications. It has delivered training to Argentine participants, with more than 80 participant attendances recorded, organized four international workshops in China and Argentina, and contributed to the development of Argentina’s technical standards for biogas. Its cooperation network has also expanded to other Latin American countries, including Bolivia, Mexico and Peru.

A major highlight of the event was the official unveiling of the Argentina Node of the Chengdu–Chongqing Belt and Road International Technology Transfer Center. Jointly established by the Sichuan Science and Technology Exchange Center, BIOMA and INTA, the node will serve as a platform for matching technological needs with available solutions, facilitating two-way technology transfer and commercialization, and expanding partnerships with Latin America, particularly in bioenergy and low-carbon agriculture. The event also included a ceremony recognizing member institutions of the Chengdu–Chongqing Belt and Road International Technology Transfer Alliance, whose membership has grown to 54 organizations.

Representatives from the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, and INTA delivered presentations on South–South cooperation and agricultural technology partnerships between China and Argentina. Chinese and international experts, together with business representatives, exchanged insights on bioenergy, agricultural organic waste management, microbial resource management and biogas-based circular agriculture. The BIOMA project team also presented interim research progress under the project “Capacity Building for Rural Biogas-Based Circular Agriculture in Porongo, Santa Cruz, Bolivia,” supported by Global South-South Development Center (GSSDC) Project Phase II. Roundtable discussions and on-site networking sessions further explored opportunities for collaboration among research institutions, universities and businesses, joint research and development, technology commercialization, and the international expansion of Chinese enterprises. These exchanges aimed to translate scientific and technological cooperation between China and key Latin American countries into practical partnerships and technology transfer projects.

The events marked both an important milestone in the second phase of the China–Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center and a further step toward strengthening China–Latin America cooperation through the newly established Argentina Node. They also represented a concrete effort to advance the Global Development Initiative and deepen South–South cooperation. Looking ahead, the China–Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center will pursue demand-driven joint research, accelerate the practical application of technologies through demonstration projects, and strengthen long-term partnerships through personnel exchanges and institutional cooperation. The Argentina Node is expected to serve as a key bridge connecting research institutions, universities and businesses in the Chengdu–Chongqing region with partners across Latin America. By facilitating two-way technology transfer and the commercialization of innovations in bioenergy and green agriculture, the initiative aims to generate sustained momentum for innovation-driven cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Photo Captions

 

Meng Haibo, Director-General of the Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, delivers remarks at the event.

 

Martin Costanzo, Head of the Economic Section of the Embassy of Argentina in China, addresses the event.

 

Liu Jurong, Deputy Director-General of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, delivers remarks.

 

Gonzalo Benítez Draghi, Director of the International Cooperation Office at Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), addresses the event.

 

Liu Wende, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, delivers remarks.

 

Unveiling ceremony for the Argentina Node of the Chengdu–Chongqing Belt and Road International Technology Transfer Center.

 

Participants attend the international technology exchange event in Chengdu.