Meeting highlights seaweed cooperation among Asian countries

FUZHOU, May 31 (Xinhua) -- A multi-day meeting opened on Friday in China's coastal Fujian Province to promote seaweed cooperation between the ASEAN countries, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The meeting hosted in Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian, has attracted officials, experts and business people from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as representatives of international organizations.

The six countries are among the world's leading seaweed producers and traders, and have conducted technological, industrial and educational cooperation for years.

The meeting, which will last to June 2, aims to establish a dialogue and cooperation mechanism, while promoting regional cooperation on seaweed research and industrial development, organizers said.

Attendees have praised the seaweed cooperation for being mutually beneficial for ASEAN and the three countries in East Asia.

Muhammad Safari Azis, president of the Indonesian Seaweed Association, said their seaweed farmers hope to learn new technologies and knowledge related to the seaweed industry and production.

"China has the technology in the seaweed industry and a huge market. We would like to have more cooperation with China," he said.