Press Center for 20th CPC National Congress: 1st press conference
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 19, 2022
Shou Xiaoli:
The floor is now open to questions. Please identify the media outlet you represent before raising questions. Simultaneous interpretation services will be available throughout the press conference. If reporters ask questions in English, the question part will be rendered into Chinese by consecutive interpretation. Now the floor is open.
Farmers' Daily:
Food security is the country's most fundamental interest. General Secretary Xi Jinping has often stressed that we should not be negligent on the issue of food security and should always keep food security at the forefront. My questions are: how is the situation of food safety in our country at present, and will China guarantee that its food supply remains firmly in its own hands?
Cong Liang:
A nation's fate and people's livelihoods are interconnected with food, and food security is an essential foundation of national security. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has ensured adequate food supply for over 1 billion people. It is a top priority in governance. The new food security concept has been put forward, and a national strategy for food security has been established. Thanks to earnest implementation in all regions and of relevant departments throughout the country and the hard work of broad masses of farmers and practitioners, China's ability to safeguard food security has improved steadily. It can be embodied in the following five aspects.
First, grain output rose to a high level. In 2012, China's grain output surpassed the 1.2 trillion jin mark (600 million tonnes) for the first time. It has exceeded 1.3 trillion jin for seven consecutive years since 2015. In 2021, the grain output hit a record high of 1.3657 trillion jin, increasing 141.2 billion jin compared to 2012. The per capita grain supply reached 483.5 kilograms, above the international food security threshold of 400 kilograms, regardless of the replenishment of imports and abundant inventories.
Second, the foundation for grain production was strengthened. China has 1.918 billion mu (about 128 million hectares) of farmland and established 1.058 billion mu of functional areas for grain production and production-protected areas for important agricultural products. Moreover, 900 million mu of high-standard farmland has been upgraded, advances in agricultural science and technology have contributed to 61% of agricultural production, and good crop varieties have basically achieved full coverage.
Third, grain circulation remained efficient and smooth. The national standard grain warehouses have a storage capacity of 700 million tonnes, and their storage condition is generally some of the most advanced in the world. We actively promoted market-based acquisitions with multiple subjects, multiple channels, and high quality and high prices. We also did a good job in policy-based acquisitions and upheld the bottom line that "all grain can be sold." The grain reserve system has been further improved, effectively playing a key role in upholding the bottom line, stabilizing expectations and safeguarding security.
Fourth, food emergency support became more effective. Currently, there are 6,000 emergency processing enterprises, 53,000 emergency supply outlets, 4,199 emergency storage and transportation enterprises and 3,047 emergency distribution centers in the country, enabling us to respond to all kinds of major natural disasters and public emergencies.
Fifth, grain markets generally remain stable. In recent years, affected by multiple factors, the international grain market has fluctuated significantly. However, China's grain markets featured sufficient supply and steady operation. They met the consumption needs of our people, which played an important role in promoting robust economic development, social harmony and stability.
The above five aspects show that the food safety situation in China is good, and its food supply remains firmly in its own hands, with the majority supply provided domestically. In the future, we will have the foundation, the conditions, the ability and the confidence to firmly seize the initiative in food security and make our road to food security with Chinese characteristics broader and broader. Thank you.
