The third biweekly consultative seminar of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held in Beijing on April 27. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting. [Photo by Jiang Guidong]

On April 27, the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held its third biweekly consultative seminar in Beijing, focusing on strengthening the construction of high-standard farmland to ensure national food security.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting.

Wang stressed that national food security is of great importance and ensuring food security for over a billion people has been a top priority in State governance since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

Wang noted that it is important to align thinking and action with decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and enhance the sense of responsibility and mission to safeguard national food security.

He said that high-standard farmland is the foundation of and key to guaranteeing national food security and the importance of strengthening high-standard farmland construction should be better understood. It is necessary to have a good grasp of the target requirements, approaches to future development and relevant security measures.

The advantages of the CPPCC's talent pool on farmers, agriculture and rural affairs should be further utilized to put forward targeted and operational ideas and suggestions to help address problems and difficulties impacting national food security.

Ten CPPCC members, including Sun Dongsheng, Zhang Taolin, Du Zhixiong and Li Yuanyuan, delivered speeches at the seminar, calling for greater efforts to scientifically formulate high-standard farmland construction plans, optimize the spatial layout and improve coordination between planners and developers to enhance the overall quality of farmland construction projects.

They also agreed that importance should be attached to promoting the construction of water conservancy projects and upgrading meteorological service capabilities to better manage risks of meteorological disasters to agriculture.

More efforts should be made to strengthen technological support and improve the integration of the construction of high-standard farmland with major projects tackling key and core agricultural technologies. The CPPCC members also suggested expanding investment and financing channels, and building a diversified investment pattern that prioritizes fiscal guarantees, financial policy support and active social participation.