GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — Wei (David) Dong is taking on the role of chief executive officer (CEO) and board member of COFCO International, effective immediately. Johnny Chi, previously CEO, will continue as chairman of COFCO International, based at the company’s headquarters in Geneva.

Dong brings more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions at several COFCO Corp. companies focused on oilseeds in China. He joins COFCO International from China Agri-Industries Holdings Limited (China Agri), a publicly-traded company majority-owned by COFCO Corp., where he was chairman until recently.

“David is an industry veteran and is already very familiar with COFCO Corp. and COFCO International,” Chi said. “I’m excited to bring on someone as experienced as David to the company and take charge of its operation and management. He will surely lead the entire management team to success as we continue the evolution of COFCO International into a world-class agri-business and further enhance ties with COFCO Corp.’s Chinese businesses.”

Dong has a bachelor’s degree from Jilin University in Changchun, China, and a doctorate degree in economics from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Dalian, China.

With 12,000 people in 35 countries, COFCO International is the overseas agriculture business platform for COFCO Corp., a Chinese-based food agriculture company. The company recently partnered with Archer Daniels Midland Co., Bunge Ltd., Cargill and Louis Dreyfus Co. to standardize data and digitize global agricultural shipping transactions. Together, the companies are looking to increase transparency and efficiency for customers through digital technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.