China’s ‘No 1 document’: Beijing steps up focus on food security

China points to ‘instability of the external situation’ in latest rural policy blueprint, urges boost in domestic seed supplies.

China will put greater pressure on its regions to boost grain yields and step up support for its domestic seed industry as it strengthens its focus on food security after the COVID-19 pandemic, a key policy document issued late on Sunday showed. The annual rural policy blueprint, known as the “No 1 document”, placed greater emphasis on food security than in prior years, calling for all provinces to improve grain yields during the 2021-2025 period. Beijing, which has long prioritised food security for its population of 1.4 billion, has strengthened its focus on the issue since the pandemic hit top food-exporting nations last year and raised concerns about the stability of food supplies.