The State Council of China unveiled its highly anticipated “No.1 Central Document” for 2024 on February 3, reaffirming its commitment to modernizing the nation’s rural areas and agricultural sector. This annual policy directive serves as a crucial indicator of the country’s priorities, and for the 21st consecutive year since 2004, the focus remains on agriculture and rural development.
The document outlines a comprehensive roadmap to fully actualize rural revitalization. Key objectives include safeguarding national grain security, preventing a large-scale return to poverty, enhancing rural industrial development, advancing rural construction and governance, strengthening the role of scientific and technological innovation, and increasing rural residents’ incomes. Encompassing 28 policy measures across six sections, the directive emphasizes several critical areas.
Emphasizing Grain Security
China places significant importance on grain security as the foundation of its rural revitalization efforts. President Xi Jinping has frequently stressed that “the Chinese people’s rice bowl must be firmly held in their own hands, mainly filled with food produced in China.” Ensuring a stable supply of primary agricultural products is considered a major strategic concern for the nation.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the country’s total grain output surpassed 695.41 million tons in 2023, marking a 1.3 percent year-on-year increase. This achievement represents the ninth consecutive year of grain harvests exceeding 650 million tons, reinforcing the resilience of China’s agricultural sector. Such progress not only supports the country’s pursuit of high-quality development but also contributes to global food market stability and overall food security.
To incentivize grain cultivation, the central government raised the minimum purchase prices for wheat and rice and enhanced subsidy policies for corn and soybean farmers in 2023. As a result, China’s grain planting area expanded to 1.785 billion mu (approximately 119 million hectares), a 0.5 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, soybean production reached 41.68 billion jin (about 20.54 million tons), up by 2.8 percent, demonstrating the country’s determination to boost self-sufficiency in essential crops.
Preventing a Return to Poverty
The document underscores the imperative of consolidating and expanding achievements in poverty alleviation. It calls for intensified efforts to prevent a substantial resurgence of poverty by accelerating development in less prosperous areas and narrowing income and development gaps between regions. Strategies include enhancing infrastructure, promoting education and healthcare, and creating sustainable employment opportunities to ensure long-term economic stability for rural residents.
Enhancing Rural Industries and Governance
Another focal point is the development of rural industries and the improvement of rural governance. By fostering local industries, encouraging innovation, and integrating technological advancements, the government aims to stimulate economic growth within rural communities. Strengthening rural infrastructure and governance structures is expected to create a more conducive environment for investment and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
The “No.1 Central Document” for 2024 sets a clear and comprehensive agenda for China’s rural revitalization. Through targeted policies and sustained efforts, the country seeks to build a robust agricultural sector, eliminate poverty, and achieve balanced regional development, contributing to national prosperity and stability.
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'No. 1 central document' charts roadmap for rural vitalization
cgtn.com
