By tf-lawyer.com “Who Will Feed China?”
In March 2022, during his visit to the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, President Xi Jinping addressed this critical question, stating, “If we can’t secure our own food, we risk dependency on others. China must rely on self-sufficiency to feed itself.”
He emphasized that ensuring national food security is a perpetual responsibility, one that must never be taken lightly. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, Xi has placed great importance on food security, viewing it as a top priority for governance, and leading the nation down a path of food security that is uniquely Chinese.
On October 16, as we observe World Food Day, we take a closer look at the President’s steadfast commitment to food security.
**China’s Bowl Should Be Filled With Chinese Grain**
Agriculture ensures not just life but also a nation’s survival—it is a cornerstone of national security. Xi has remarked, “If agriculture falters and we become beholden to others for our food, what modernization can we hope to achieve? A strong agricultural sector is vital for food security, which in turn gives us the confidence and strategic advantage to navigate challenges.”
Seeds, often referred to as the “chips” of agriculture, play a crucial role. In May 2021, during an inspection in Nanyang, Henan, Xi made an unplanned stop to assess the wheat crops, proclaiming, “If we have a good summer harvest, the economy for the entire year will be secure.” He stressed that ensuring food security means firmly grasping control over our seeds.
In April 2022, during his first stop in Hainan, he visited the Sanya Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory and advised, “Only by firmly securing our own seeds can we stabilize China’s food supply and achieve food security.”
The objective of filling China’s bowl with domestic grain is heavily reliant on our farmers. Xi has underscored the need to “encourage farmers to plant more grain, stabilize and enhance subsidies for grain farmers,” emphasizing that “farmers must see profit in grain production and feel motivated to cultivate.”
In March 2024, while visiting a rice farmer named Dai Hong in Changde, Hunan, Xi learned that Dai had contracted over 480 acres of paddy fields, yielding a net income exceeding 550,000 yuan last year, supplemented by government subsidies of over 70,000 yuan. This news brought Xi great joy, affirming, “Farmers engaged in grain production must not suffer losses; only then will they be incentivized to cultivate.”
In a letter to grain producer Xu Congxiang in June 2022, Xi wrote, “In recent years, the Central Government has introduced a series of policies to support agricultural production, ensuring that the Chinese people’s food security remains under our control and that grain farmers earn money and enjoy a better life. I hope large-scale farmers leverage their advantages, apply modern agricultural technology, and encourage smaller farmers to increase grain production, all contributing to national food security.”
From the vast Northeast plains to Central China’s fields, and from the southern breeding grounds to regions known as the ‘land of fish and rice,’ Xi’s reminders resonate, reflecting his deep hope for a secure food supply.
**Arable Land: The Lifeline of Food Production**
In Hebei’s Cangzhou, where the soil faces high salinity, extensive areas of low-yield farmland and saline wasteland are prevalent. In recent years, through the development of salt-tolerant and disease-resistant wheat varieties and improved cultivation techniques, saline lands are gradually transforming into “granaries.”
In May 2023, during his inspection of a saline wheat field in Huanghua, Hebei, Xi engaged warmly with farmers and agricultural experts. Reflecting on the situation, Xi contemplated, “Our nation has 1.5 billion acres of saline land, with 500 million acres suitable for grain cultivation. Utilizing this land holds significant importance for expanding our arable area and ensuring national food security.”
In 2021, while visiting the Yellow River Delta Agricultural High-Tech Industry Demonstration Zone in Dongying, Shandong, Xi inspected the cultivation of salt-tolerant crops and encouraged local agricultural leaders, stating, “We must protect our red line of 1.8 billion acres of arable land while fully developing 500 million acres of saline land. If salt-tolerant crops thrive, they will be pivotal for securing China’s granaries and food supply.”
The core principle of ensuring national food security lies in protecting our arable land—a subject of significant concern for Xi. During the 2022 Two Sessions, he remarked, “Arable land is essential for grain production and the foundation for the sustainable development of our nation. If we keep making adjustments here and there, how can we safeguard the 1.8 billion acres of arable land and ensure the food security of over 1.4 billion people? We must not permit any form of circumvention or manipulation in land protection.”
This effort reflects a cautious awareness and a deep understanding of the responsibilities involved.
By the end of 2023, over 1 billion acres of high-standard farmland has been established nationwide. In September of this year, the Central Committee and State Council released guidelines to enhance arable land protection and quality. The guidelines stress, “On the premise of stabilizing the overall quantity of arable land, we must improve its quality, integrating high-standard farmland construction with agricultural water conservancy projects to truly establish high-standard farmland as permanent basic farmland.”
**Embracing a Comprehensive View of Agriculture and Food**
In the eastern seas of Fujian, rows of fish cages dot the ocean, functioning like a network of marine farms that consistently produce seafood. Over 30 years ago, when he served as the Secretary of the Ningde Prefectural Committee, Xi harnessed local resources to promote the all-around development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries. Since then, the cultivation of fruit and the development of aquaculture have flourished along Ningde’s mountains and coastlines.
Recalling his time in Fujian, Xi stated, “I proposed a comprehensive view of food, where meat, eggs, poultry, dairy, fish, fruits, and vegetables are all considered food.”
From local initiatives to central policies, the concept of a comprehensive food view continues to evolve under Xi’s direction. He emphasizes, “As the public’s food demands diversify, we must shift our mindset to adopt a comprehensive view of agriculture and food that draws resources from cultivated land, grasslands, forests, and oceans to holistically develop food sources.”
In April 2023, Xi visited the southern base of the National 863 Program for seawater aquaculture seed engineering in Zhanjiang, Guangdong. He walked on floating rafts while observing various fish species such as golden pomfret and sea bass in vibrant breeding pools. Impressed by the scene, he remarked, “This truly is a vibrant spectacle.”
By 2030, Guangdong anticipates adding 2.01 million tons of seafood, which is equivalent to raising 30.45 million pigs or 1.54 billion ducks. After receiving reports, Xi emphasized, “To solve the food issue and ensure food security, we must adopt a comprehensive view of food, sourcing from both land and sea, cultivating the sea and fisheries to create ocean ranches and ‘blue granaries.'”
From the initial proposal of a comprehensive agriculture and food view at the 2015 Central Rural Work Conference to this year’s Central No. 1 Document advocating for an “expanded multi-channel food source,” the concept has reinforced China’s food security on broader dimensions.
Today, in addition to arable land, the vast oceans, forests, and grasslands all provide vital support for an abundant food supply for China. In 2023, China’s economic forest output reached 226 million tons, making forest food the third largest agricultural product following traditional grains and vegetables. By mid-2023, nearly 44 million cubic meters of seawater were used for deep-water aquaculture, producing 400,000 tons, solidifying the concept of “blue ranches” in deeper waters.
With sufficient reserves in food stores, the world remains stable.
President Xi continually stresses that while food quantities can fluctuate, food security is a strategic issue. “Look at the world’s truly powerful nations; they have the ability to solve their own food supply challenges,” he remarks.
In 2023, China’s grain output reached 1.39 trillion jin, remaining steady above 1.3 trillion jin for nine consecutive years. Per capita grain output stood at 493 kilograms, consistently surpassing the global average and exceeding the internationally recognized food security threshold of 400 kilograms. China not only ensures a steady supply of food but continues to enhance its quality!
