WELLINGTON - Dairy researchers from China and New Zealand will gather annually to discuss industry development under a new bilateral platform, New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra announced Wednesday.

The China-New Zealand Dairy Exchange Center was a joint initiative between Fonterra and China's National Dairy Industry and Technology System to support the sustainable development of the dairy industry in both countries, said a statement from Fonterra.

"It is a key priority for Fonterra to contribute to the development of the Chinese dairy industry and we believe there is a lot to be gained by both New Zealand and China through the sharing of knowledge, research and dairy expertise," Fonterra president of greater China and India Kelvin Wickham said in the statement.

The center would develop and oversee programs in policy development in the China and New Zealand dairy sectors, academic exchanges, industry promotion, dairy technology research and personnel training.

The first three initiatives would be an annual China-New Zealand Dairy Forum to share research and best practice, overseeing joint research on dairy industry policy and technologies, and implementing a training program to provide Chinese dairy personnel with training and technology to assist with industry development.

? Fonterra challenged in China's milk powder market

Dairy product imports 'to witness sharp rise'?