Signe Brudeset (second from left), Norwegian Ambassador to China visits Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences during her stay in Harbin. Photo: Courtesy of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beijing

Norwegian Ambassador to China Signe Brudeset recently attended the International Ice and Snow Festival and met the collaborative Sinograin science project partners while in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

The 40th International Ice and Snow Festival opened on January 5 in Harbin, providing momentum for the flourishing of the ice and snow economy and at the meantime allowing it to attract global attention.

As a province abundant in ice and snow resources, Heilongjiang has seen a continuous rise in popularity, enthusiasm, and positive reviews domestically and internationally since the beginning of the snow season. 

During her visit, the ambassador met with Luan Zhicheng, deputy mayor of Harbin, and noted that Norway and Harbin share many similarities in winter tourism and sports, as well as the equipment needed for both.

The ambassador also visited the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Sinograin project's long-term partner, where she learned about the project's achievements especially in the protection and utilization of black soil, or chernozem soil, which is an important resource in grain production in China.

The Sinograin project, funded by the Norwegian Embassy in China, aims to promote China's food security and sustainable agricultural development by introducing and promoting advanced Norwegian technologies in precision agriculture through collaborative efforts between Chinese and Norwegian scientists.