PARMA, Italy - International Dairy Federation (IDF) President Richard Doyle on Tuesday highlighted China's contribution to the international dairy market.

"Being a very dynamic market, China is participating actively to the development and changing needs of the dairy sector," Doyle told Xinhua during the ongoing IDF World Dairy Summit 2011, the annual leading event of the global dairy industry.

Some 1,400 participants took part in this year's summit, which was held in Italy's so-called "food valley" Parma.

Two Chinese dairy companies received the 2011 IDF Dairy Innovation awards. China's Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy Group was awarded "Best new dairy drink" and "Best environmental sustainability initiative," while Shanghai-based Bright Dairy & Food Co Ltd. was awarded "Best newcomer brand of business."

The five-day IDF World Dairy Summit 2011 ends Wednesday.