Minister Han Changfu gives a press conference at the two sessions

Minister Han Changfu gives a press conference at the two sessions

Minister Han Changfu gave a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of China''s 12th National People''s Congress in Beijing on March 7, 2016. He briefed the media on China''s agricultural policies and rural development.

Food security

Minister Han said that food security is still a strategic focus for the world''s most populous nation, and the sector still needs a lot of support and attention.

He noted that in the modernization process, agriculture is lagging compared with other sectors, such as urbanization, industrialization and information technology. We need to restructure and upgrade the business models and production systems which focus on technology, and extend the production chain of agriculture. We will promote supply-side reform because some products are excessive while others are in short supply. The purpose of reform is to increase the quality and efficiency of supply, ensure stable production, and reduce pressure on the environment.

Food safety

Minister Han said that China will do more to ensure safety of farm produce, "we have zero tolerance in dealing with food safety violations".

China''s 13th Five-Year Plan, through 2020, says to improve quality of agricultural products, Han said.

Han said standardized food production and stronger administrative supervision are needed to see the goal through.

Farmers'' income

Minister Han stressed the importance of farmers'' income, and said the welfare of farmers is the key to a moderately prosperous society. He reiterated that China will push for a new type of urbanization as well as the modernization of agriculture.

And China will promote the coordinated development between rural and urban areas.

"The key is to ensure three goals: guarantee the supply, ensure income, and protect the environment. In other words, give enough food supply for all people, let the rural people make enough money, and offer the people in the city a green environment," Han said.

Cooperation with Russia

China is encouraging more enterprises to invest in agriculture in Russia''s Far East, Minister Han said.

Investment of enterprises from Heilongjiang Province, which borders Russia, has yielded handsome returns.

The minister said he expects more China-Russia cooperation in agricultural research and development as well as professional training.

The two sides have had a solid foundation to expand agricultural cooperation, a significant aspect of bilateral ties, Han said.

China-U.S. farm produce trade

Responding to queries about China-U.S. farm produce trade, Han said the world''s two biggest economies also have sound cooperation with mutual benefits.

About 25 percent of U.S.-made soybeans, largely genetically modified organisms, were exported to the Chinese market, the minister said, underscoring that safety checks have been conducted by the two sides.

Adapted from www.cnchemicals.com/, Xinhua News Agency and www.cnchemicals.com