BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China has officially become a member of the International Rice Commission (IRC) after receiving a confirmation from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)in September, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Sources from the academy said that in July this year, the Ministry of Agriculture submitted on behalf of the Chinese government an application to the FAO to join the IRC, which was welcomed by members of the IRC and was officially approved by the FAO in September.

Founded in 1949, the IRC is a professional commission under the FAO, with more than 60 member countries and regions so far. The organization is devoted to promoting cooperation among members in rice production, storage, distribution and consumption (excluding international trade).

The IRC also discusses rice-related science and technology and economic issues, encourages and coordinates relevant research cooperation, playing an important role in the application of rice technology, implementation of cooperative projects and information communication.

The sources said that due to historical reasons, China kept away from the commission for many years. In 2002, Dr. Cheng Shihua, director of the China Rice Institute, attended the 20th congress of the IRC as an observer, during which he and IRC officials discussed the issue of China's membership.

In 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture ratified China Rice Institute's proposal to join the IRC and appointed the institute to be the liaison unit after China joins the IRC.

Cheng said that as one of the world's major rice producers, China holds a significant position in world's rice production. Joining the IRC will definitely promote Sino-foreign cooperation in rice production and research, and extend China's influence on world's rice production.