Opinion | China embraces an all-encompassing approach to food

After China unveiled its "No. 1 central document" for 2025 on February 23, outlining key tasks for rural reforms and rural revitalization, Jiang Wenlai, Research Fellow of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences said in an interview with China Youth Daily that the document contains three main highlights.

Photo by CFP

First, the "No. 1 central document" for 2025 does not set a specific grain output target, but emphasizes the importance of strengthening the capacity to ensure the supply and security of grain and other major agricultural products.

Jiang added that this means that China has shifted its focus from a specific grain output target to ensuring the security and supply of grain and other major agricultural products, embracing an all-encompassing approach to food.

Second, the document has introduced the concept of "new quality productive forces in agriculture" for the first time, highlighting China's prioritization of innovation in agricultural science and technology. New quality productive forces in agriculture are closely related to innovation in agricultural science and technology, and their development can improve the quality of China's agricultural modernization.

Third, the document proposes to strengthen the long-term mechanism of food conservation. Long-term food conservation and strengthening the capacity to ensure the supply and security of grain and other major agricultural products are mutually reinforcing. (By Guo Xinguan/China Youth Daily)