China Calls for Stronger Regional Food Security at APEC Ministerial Meeting

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong addressed the opening ceremony of the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou on August 25. Highlighting food security as a fundamental issue for human survival, Liu urged member economies to build a more resilient regional food security system. He presented four proposals focusing on agricultural production capacity, technological innovation, unimpeded trade flows, and policy coordination, while reiterating China's domestic agricultural strategy to secure supplies for its population.

Amid global climate volatility and trade disruptions, the Asia-Pacific region plays a critical role in stabilizing global grain supply chains. China's call for multilateralism and open trade in agriculture signals an effort to reduce regional trade barriers and encourage cross-border agricultural technology sharing among APEC member economies.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on August 25, according to official state media reports. Speaking at the event, Liu characterized food security as a fundamental issue concerning human survival, echoing Chinese President Xi Jinping's stance that securing food supplies is an enduring task that must never be relaxed. Liu noted that the Chinese government prioritizes agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, pursuing a food security strategy focused on domestic self-reliance, guaranteed production capacity, moderate imports, and technological support. By implementing policies to preserve agricultural land and boost technological innovation, China has secured food supplies for its population of more than 1.4 billion, he stated. Emphasizing the vital role of APEC in safeguarding global food security, Liu outlined four key proposals to construct a more robust regional food security architecture: First, he urged member economies to focus on production capacity enhancement by leveraging their respective resource endowments. Second, he called for stronger innovation-driven development and deeper cooperation in agricultural science and technology. Third, Liu emphasized the need to facilitate smooth trade flows by upholding multilateralism and an open economy to ensure the security and stability of food supply chains. Fourth, he advocated for inclusive development and reinforced policy coordination to defend the baseline of regional food security. Themed 'Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Shared Prosperity,' the ministerial meeting brought together nearly 200 representatives from APEC member economies, the APEC Secretariat, and relevant international organizations.