James W. Schroeder Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, USDA Good Afternoon. So, if you thought you were in the biotechnology session or maybe the one on precision agriculture, this would be a good time to check your program and change rooms. For me personally, the timing of this session could not have been better. But all of us in this room have a very special interest in China.
China is an important and valued customer for American agriculture.
And we look forward to even stronger trading relationships in the future. With the world's largest population, rising incomes, and a culture that emphasizes good eating, China offers tremendous potential for expanding U.S. farm exports. In 1998, China became the fifth largest market in the world for U.S. farm products. Today we have a special opportunity to hear from three people who are uniquely qualified to discuss China's agricultural prospects. I'd like to introduce each of our panelists before we begin.