Members of the Chairperson's Council of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) engaged in a study survey at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) in Beijing on Oct 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, participated in the visit.

The council members toured the new repository of the National Germplasm Resource Bank and the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers. They also heard reports on the history of the resource bank, the progress in investigating, collecting, protecting and utilizing crop germplasm, and the application of intelligent devices in the work, as well as major research progress on new varieties, technologies and products related to the germplasm of vegetables and flowers.

Following the visit, they held a discussion with participating CPPCC members, officials from the MARA and the CAAS, and experts. Participants noted that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has implemented significant measures to innovate agricultural technology, leading to historic achievements in the sector. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), China has experienced stable development in agriculture and rural areas, along with continuous progress in modern agriculture. These advancements have strengthened the foundation for the high-quality social and economic development of the country, they said.

The participants called for thorough study and implementation of the CPC Central Committee's instructions on work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. They said that efforts should be made to strengthen the overall performance of the agricultural technology innovation system and form a synergy of universities, research institutes and technological enterprises in making breakthroughs in core technology and fostering talents, so as to achieve self-reliance in germplasm technology and sources.

The CPPCC, as a specialized consultative body, should play an active role in supporting the development of agricultural technology and modern agriculture during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), they said. Such supportive efforts include conducting in-depth research and offering targeted, actionable policy recommendations, especially those focusing on advancing comprehensive rural vitalization and building a strong agricultural power, they noted.

They urged CPPCC members, particularly those from the scientific and technological as well as the agricultural sectors, to leverage their expertise, contribute to innovation and serve the development of rural areas, agriculture and farmers, thereby helping the country achieve high-level self–reliance and self-improvement in agricultural technology.

CPPCC National Committee vice-chairpersons Hu Chunhua, Wang Yong, Xian Hui, Wang Dongfeng, Jiang Zuojun, He Baoxiang, Zhu Yongxin and Yang Zhen also joined the study tour.