BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States have inked a letter of intent to facilitate cooperation in improving the quality of farm chemicals as well as its pollution control, a U.S. official said on Friday.

    The document was signed between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Institute for the control of farm chemicals under the Ministry of Agriculture.

    As China is a big consumer and producer of farm chemicals, EPA assistant administrator Granta Nakayama said the document helps to facilitate U.S.-China cooperation in farm chemical management. The two countries will cooperate closely to control pollution of agrochemicals and reduce its side effects to the users.

    He also appreciated the rapid progress that the Chinese government has achieved in environmental protection and pollution prevention.

    Nakayama visited China from April 12 to 20 and met with officials of the State Environmental Protection Administration of China, and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

    His current trip aims to explore future cooperation areas with China in environmental protection, and share experience in regulation enforcement.