With less than 9% of the world’s arable land, China feeds over 1.4 billion people—more than 20% of the global population. This remarkable achievement is the result of China’s concerted efforts to modernize its agricultural sector and revitalize rural areas.
For the past two decades, the first policy statement released each year by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council—known as Central Document No. 1—has focused on rural development and agriculture. In 2023, the document emphasized “rural vitalization” and accelerating modernization in rural regions, with a strong focus on food security.
The 2023 Document outlines nine key tasks and 33 primary points, including constructing a strong agricultural sector, enhancing food security, extending poverty alleviation, building business-friendly and beautiful villages, protecting cultivated land, preventing heavy metal pollution, providing ecological compensation, and piloting green agriculture and renewable energy in rural areas. Programs are also in place to improve the rural living environment through clean village initiatives, sewage treatment installations, and organic waste utilization.
President Xi Jinping has underscored the importance of agricultural modernization and food security for national development and security. “Through hard work, our country has provided for nearly one-fifth of the world’s population with 9% of the world’s arable land and 6% of fresh-water resources. Today, more than 1.4 billion people are eating well,” he stated.
The strategy of rural vitalization, initiated in 2017, aims to fundamentally impact the nation by 2035. The goals include achieving thriving businesses, pleasant living environments, social etiquette and civility, effective governance, and prosperity in rural areas. This strategy reflects the understanding that without the revitalization of the countryside, there can be no social stability, common prosperity, or national rejuvenation.
Having spent his early career in rural regions, President Xi is determined to advance agricultural modernization and rural reforms. Emphasizing food security is crucial not only for supporting citizens’ economic and social development but also for ensuring national development and security. These efforts contribute significantly to modernizing the country and promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
