Beijing is facing renewed concerns about food security due to a decrease in farmers and arable land. This issue is exacerbated by tensions with grain suppliers, supply chain disruptions, and the potential for a food security crisis. China saw public protests against food scarcity in 2022 for the first time since 1989. The country’s food self-sufficiency ratio has decreased significantly, and various structural and policy factors contribute to its food insecurity. China’s reliance on external sources for food, changing dietary preferences, and declining farm productivity are all contributing to the crisis. The country is now the world’s largest importer of agricultural products and is also acquiring farmland abroad to address its food security concerns. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is keenly aware of the unpredictable nature of global events and how international tensions can have a direct impact on their food security. The Russia-Ukraine war initially led to volatility in food prices and supply in China, bringing food security to the forefront for CCP planners.
In addition to external challenges, the CCP also faces issues with corrupt officials at various levels of government. These officials often provide false reports on grain production to avoid punishment, leading to inaccuracies in official planning documents and undermining policy effectiveness. Anti-corruption efforts have resulted in the arrest of numerous officials within China’s grain reserve system in recent years.
To address its vulnerabilities in food security, China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration has been actively building up its grain reserves, which are reportedly at record levels. This underscores the seriousness with which China and the CCP view food security. Chinese officials understand that maintaining power and privilege hinges on ensuring food security for the country’s 1.4 billion population.
Please note that the views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times.
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