The Fourth International Meat Secretariat (IMS) World Conference kicked off in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province on Sunday, attracting about 800 participants from 38 countries and regions.

Under the theme of "bringing China to the world, bringing the world to China", Patrick J. Moore, president of IMS, noted that this International conference "is taking place against the background of the enormous changes being witnessed in the global meat market".

"Meat demand is strong and growing," he said, "at the same time, international trade in meat continues to grow and is remarkably resilient despite the impacts of animal disease outbreaks and market access issues."

During the two-day conference, issues concerning pork production and its market, pork consumption trend, new technology and new products as well as global pork trade and policies shall be discussed.

IMS, founded in 1974, brings together meat and livestock organizations throughout the world. China is the first Asian country to host the conference. The 5th China International Meat Industry Exhibition shall be held at the same time.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)