The US Monsanto Company announced Thursday that it has opened its first research center in China.

The Monsanto Biotechnology Research Center in Zhongguancun, Beijing, is expected to strengthen the company' s ties with Chinese research institutions in plant biotechnology and genomics.

Stephen Padgette, vice president of biotechnology for Monsanto, said that Monsanto has made a commitment to collaborate with Chinese scientists on advanced biotech and breeding technology.

"The establishment of the center will give Chinese researchers access to our global research network and to our industry-leading product development pipeline," Padgette said.

Zhai Huqu, president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS), said that strengthening the exchange of information and creating a technology collaboration platform is crucial for technological innovation. CAAS has worked with Monsanto in the past and this is a great opportunity to expand that collaboration.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2009)