The members of the initiative upheld Slovenia's proposal to host the next ministerial. "It is about Slovenia's image and an opportunity to strengthen economic cooperation," Židan told the STA after the talks.

The meeting would be an introduction to the annual Agra fair in Gornja Radgona, the biggest agri-food fair in the country. Židan described it as potentially one of the most important events in Slovenia in 2017.

The ministerial in Kunming today was the highlight of Židan's multi-day visit to China and also featured bilateral talks with ministers including China's Han Changfu.

Židan said China was interested in Slovenian farm produce, in particular due to the close-to-nature production techniques.

"They are interested in products made in a close-to-nature way that are considered boutique in China and bring added value," according to the minister.

Earlier in the day Židan attended the opening of CAFT, the Kunming agriculture and trade fair, which features a Slovenian pavilion.

Židan said the Slovenian pavilion's prominent position showed how good Sino-Slovenian cooperation was. "There are intensive talks under way on the margins of the fair to ensure China's presence in Slovenia next year," he said.