EU agriculture minister to focus on counterfeit wines in China

European officials in China will attempt to strengthen protection against counterfeit wines and other spirits, the European Commission said Monday. European Agricultural and Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Ciolos began a series of meetings in China Monday to discuss protections against counterfeiting in the wine industry, "as well as ... food security and agricultural research with a view to increase agricultural productivity and sustainable management of natural resources," the commission said. Ciolos will meet with Vice Premier Wang Yang and Agriculture Minister Han Changfu, as well as with Zhi Shuping, who heads China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. "Agriculture is of strategic importance for both the European Union and China in our efforts to address challenges such as ensuring food security, fighting climate change, and achieving a balanced development of rural territories," Ciolos said in a statement. "Following last year's agreement for a cooperation plan on agriculture, that has already started producing concrete results, I believe there is still an enormous potential for development for the benefit of both parties," he said. The meetings will take place over three days, concluding Wednesday.