"Today I meet here with President Obama to map out a blueprint for the development of China-US relations and conduct cooperation across the Pacific Ocean."

Xi Jinping, China's president, saying that the two-day summit's aim was to draw up a blueprint for closer and stronger China-US ties. Xi said China and the US should find a new type of relationship between major countries that is different from the past one featuring inevitable confrontation and conflict.

"You have saved labor, increased efficiency and improved your incomes. You are really great."

Li Keqiang, premier of China, praising farmers operating combine harvesters in Handan, Hebei province, when he was inspecting the harvesting on June 7. Some farmers had driven the harvesters from Henan province to Hebei to help local farmers harvest their crops. Li said wheat is a primary summer crop for China and a good harvest will benefit farmers and the country.

"Sciences and technologies are now becoming major driving forces for the country's development in the agricultural sector. For future science and technology innovation, cooperation and exchanges worldwide are urgently needed."

Han Changfu, minister of agriculture, speaking at the fourth Global Forum of Leaders for Agricultural Science and Technology in Beijing on June 5. He said that agriculture in China is not only important for the country, but also a crucial factor in the stability of economic development worldwide.

(China Daily European Weekly 06/14/2013 page3)