A 6 member Chinese delegation consisting of the following visited India during 11-16 November, 2007 and they came to Mumbai on 15-11-2007.

Sr.	Name	Tittle and Institution
1	Prof. Xiang Zhong Huai (Head of Delegation)	President, China Society for Sericultural Sciences; Director, Key Laboratory for Sericulture
2	Mr. Feng Huai Song (Deputy Head of Delegation)	Division Chief, Department of Agricultural Corp Management
3	Prof. Xiao Qing You	Dean, College of Life Science, Southwest University
4	Prof. Li Long	Director Zhenjiang Inspection and Testing Center for Sericulture Products
4	Prof. Hu Le Shan	Ex-Director, Sericultural Extension Station, Department of Agriculture
5	Prof. Yu Zhen Cheng	Deputy Director, Sericultural Reasearch Institute of Shandong Province

The Head of the Delegation, Prof. Xiang Zhong Huai had discussions with the officials of the ISEPC and Mr. Ravi Mehra, Regional Chairman (Western Region, ISEPC). The discussions, in brief, are as follows: Prof. Li Long, translated the views of Prof. Xiang Zhong Huai, Head of Delegation to Mr. Ravi Mehra and vice-versa. The entire delegation was given a set of published information of the ISEPC (like Annual Report, list of leading exporters – Citations, and brochures).

PROF. XIANG ZHONG HUAI, HEAD OF DELEGATION

Since landing in India we had series of discussions with people in New Delhi and with officials of the Central Silk Board, Bangalore.

We thank the Indian friends for the arrangements. We are here to exchange views, more and more. I started as a Professor 50 years before because I love Silk. My love still continues and I hope silk is consumed more and more in the world. We are keeping in touch with the Indian Sericulture; India has a lot of potential for improvement. About the Sericulture Plan in China, we want to state that changes happening and the development in the coastal areas are being transformed to inner areas and this will help in improving the farmer’s income. Now let me know about Indian views.

RAVI MEHRA, REGIONAL CHAIRMAN (WESTERN REGION)

I welcome the delegation and I wish all the success to you. I had been to China several times during 1980 - 1985 and I was always fascinated by the Chinese silk factories there. Here in India, we have different types of yarns. (Explains about yarns)

PROF. XIANG ZHONG HUAI, HEAD OF DELEGATION

India has very good potential for improvement. You have lots of land for producing silk. You, ISEPC target exports and its development but at present we want to promote Chinese Domestic market.

MR. P. VEERARAGAVAN, DEPUTY SECRETARY (ISEPC)

What is your actual domestic consumption at present?

PROF. XIANG ZHONG HUAI, HEAD OF DELEGATION

China consumes about 40,000 tonnes of silk every year and we want to make cheaper silk so that everyone is able to buy silk.

RAVI MEHRA, REGIONAL CHAIRMAN (WESTERN REGION)

Prof. Xiang Zhong Huai, Head of Delegation, said all good things about Indian Silk and Sericulture. We thank him for the same. Out Government’s does not control Sericulture or industry, we have lots of potential for improving domestic market. Domestic consumption is mostly in the form of silk sarees. We also produce silk furnishings, bedspreads, quilts etc. for exports. The domestic consumption of these items is not significant and they are highly priced and the poor cannot afford to buy this high quality, highly priced items.

PROF. XIANG ZHONG HUAI, HEAD OF DELEGATION
We are very glad to extend our cooperation and we are in touch with the Central Silk Board. India and China should co-operate and there is no competition. What are your view?

RAVI MEHRA, REGIONAL CHAIRMAN (WESTERN REGION)
We want China to give technology and produce high quality raw silk and help increase the consumption of silk both domestic and export, so that there is more and more co-opeartion to achieve better results.

Every year there should be delegation between China and India and I thank you for your visit to ISEPC and my office. I have visited China many a times and I will meet Prof. Xiang Zhong Huai when I come to China next time. I hope your delegation leads to further co-operation from both the sides for increasing the quality and development of silk for domestic and export market.