Xi Jinping, "Seeds Are Key to China's Food Security"
Li Keqiang, "Sowing Time Must Not Be Delayed Due to COVID-19"
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Amid soaring international grain prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized seed self-sufficiency. It appears that President Xi personally stepped in to win public support as international grain prices surged after the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to Chinese media including the People's Daily on the 12th, President Xi visited the Yazhou Seed Laboratory in Sanya, Hainan Province, stating that food security is one of the Chinese government's top priorities.
President Xi said, "Seeds are the key to China's food security," adding, "Only by firmly holding self-reliant seeds in hand can we protect the rice bowls of the Chinese people."
In December last year, during the Central Rural Work Conference, President Xi also emphasized food security, saying, "The rice bowls of the Chinese people must always be firmly held in hand, and those rice bowls must be filled with Chinese grains."
China is known to import about 60,000 tons of seeds annually.
The Russia-Ukraine war has also triggered an emergency in China's food security. The most urgent grain is corn. China imported 28.35 million tons of corn last year, which is about 10% of its own harvest, and approximately 30% of that is known to be from Ukraine.
The Global Times reported that geopolitical risks directly related to food security are increasing, and China will reduce its dependence on grain imports through independent seed development.
As unexpected variables such as the spread of COVID-19 and rising international grain prices have unsettled public sentiment within China, it appears that President Xi visited the seed laboratory.
Premier Li Keqiang held a separate meeting the day before with governors of Liaoning, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Sichuan provinces. These provinces have recently faced difficulties due to confirmed COVID-19 infections.
Premier Li said, "The grain sowing period must not be delayed due to the epidemic," and added, "Attention must be paid to the supply and price stability of agricultural materials such as fertilizers."
He also instructed, "Logistics must not affect the economy," and directed, "Effectively manage domestic logistics such as trucks and ensure smooth operation of port logistics, which are gateways for imports and exports."
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