The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee holds a consultation meeting on the handling of a key proposal on accelerating the research and development of core germplasm resources in Beijing on July 14. 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 and delivered a speech. [Photo by Qi Bo]

On July 14, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee held a consultation meeting on the handling of a key proposal on accelerating the research and development of core germplasm resources in Beijing. 

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 and delivered a speech. 

Wang highlighted the need to understand the significant achievements that had been achieved in agriculture and the seed industry in the new era. He noted that it is important to align thinking and action with the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and to strengthen confidence and determination in achieving self-reliance and self-improvement of seed science and technology, as well as independent control of germplasm resources. 

Wang stressed that accelerating the R&D of core agricultural seed resources is related to food security and national security. He urged CPPCC members to conduct investigations and research focusing on major underlying issues and to make suggestions that can help strengthen public consensus on supporting agricultural science and technology and promoting the seed industry. 

He called for relevant CPPCC units to do a good job in communication, organization and coordination to transform the key proposal into high-quality outcomes. 

The proposal, submitted by the central committees of the China Democratic League and the China Zhi Gong Party, as well as some members of the CPPCC National Committee, is one of 72 key proposals selected by the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee early this year. 

CPPCC members, experts and organizers of the proposal exchanged views at the meeting on such issues as fundamental and cutting-edge seed breeding research, joint research on improved rice varieties, the development of the livestock and poultry breeding industry and the seeding industry, the construction of germplasm resources banks, seed sci-tech innovation through facilitation of artificial intelligence, the promotion of agricultural technology, and the cultivation of talents and backbone enterprises.