China and France issued a joint statement on agricultural exchanges and cooperation on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed to explore ways to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as crops, livestock farming, smart agriculture, adaptation to climate change, among others, according to the statement.

The two sides are willing to continue to tap into the potential of cooperation in rural development, strengthening exchanges on young talents and business models of agriculture, the statement said.

The statement was released during Xi's state visit to France, where he and Macron reaffirmed the vital role that agriculture plays in their respective countries and bilateral relations.