To reduce dependence on the United States and Australia, China aims to collaborate with nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), says Li Fuguang, Head, Institute of Cotton Research under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Central Asia's potential in cotton production will help China meet import demand of 2 million metric tonne, Li adds.

Cotton production in Central Asia covers nearly 2 million hectares, and the environment there is similar to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which accounts for 84.9 per cent of cotton production in China.

China will focus on introducing cotton cultivation technology to Uzbekistan in the next five years, and keep advancing it in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, he added.

It will also beef up efforts to modernize of the sector by upgrading systems and cultivating innovation in key technologies.

The country plans to strengthen the collection and utilization of cotton germplasm resources, explore excellent gene sources, and create excellent resources with high yield, good quality and wide adaptability, according to the academy.

The China Cotton Industry Alliance, a non-profit led by the institute, will play a major role in improving cotton quality and integrating the entire industry chain.