Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu gives a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of China's 12th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - China is encouraging more enterprises to invest in agriculture in Russia's Far East, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu said on Monday.

Investment of enterprises from Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia, has yielded handsome returns, Han said at a press conference on the sidelines of the national legislature annual session.

The minister said he expects more Sino-Russo cooperation in agricultural research and development as well as professional training.

China and Russia have had a solid foundation to expand agricultural cooperation, a significant aspect of bilateral ties, Han said.

Responding to queries about Sino-US farm produce trade, Han said the world's two biggest economies also have sound cooperation with mutual benefits.

About 25 percent of US-made soybeans, largely genetically modified organisms, were exported to the Chinese market, the minister said, underscoring that safety checks have been conducted by the two sides.