Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: By 2030, a national “South Breeding Silicon Valley” integrating scientific research, production, marketing, technological exchange, and the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements will be fully established.

On January 31, the “National Nanning Silicon Valley Construction Plan (2023–2030),” jointly formulated by five departments—the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the General Administration of Customs—was unveiled in Sanya, Hainan Province.

The Plan prioritizes high-quality development of the seed industry and lays out a comprehensive roadmap for building the Nanfan Silicon Valley. It defines four key positioning goals, two-phase objectives, two strategic layouts, six major tasks, and seven supporting measures. The plan calls for transforming the Nanfan Silicon Valley into a national-level innovation hub for the seed industry, a new engine for high-quality seed-sector growth, a major platform for international cooperation in seed science and technology, and a pilot zone for deepening reform and opening-up in the seed sector. By 2025, it aims to establish a preliminary national-level seed‑industry innovation base; by 2030, it seeks to fully develop the Nanfan Silicon Valley into a nationwide service center integrating research, production, marketing, scientific exchange, and the commercialization of scientific成果.

The following is the content of the press conference:

Ding Bin, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Deputy Director-General of the General Office:

Ladies and gentlemen, media friends, good morning! Welcome to the press conference hosted by the News Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Today’s theme is to present an overview of the “National Nanning Seed Industry Silicon Valley Development Plan (2023–2030).”

Today, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Xie Yan, Deputy Director-General of the Seed Industry Administration Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, who will provide an overview of the relevant situation and address questions of concern. Also attending today’s press conference are Ms. He Qiongmei, Party Secretary and Director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Mr. Ao Biqiang, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Commissioner of Haikou Customs; Mr. Zhang Changfeng, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Mayor of the People’s Government of Sanya City, Hainan Province; and Mr. Yin Lei, Director of the Agricultural Division of the Rural Economy Department of the National Development and Reform Commission. I am Gong Bin, Deputy Director-General of the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and I will be chairing today’s press conference.

Xie Yan, Deputy Director-General of the Seed Industry Administration Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

The Nanfan breeding base is an indispensable strategic resource for China’s agricultural research, playing a pivotal role in accelerated breeding and generation advancement, emergency seed production, and seed multiplication and propagation. It has made significant contributions to rapidly elevating the technological level of China’s seed industry and safeguarding national food security.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the development of the Nanfan breeding base. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the National Nanfan Scientific Research and Breeding Base is a valuable national platform for agricultural research and must be developed into a “Nanfan Silicon Valley” that integrates research, production, marketing, scientific and technological exchange, and the commercialization of scientific achievements, serving the entire country. The Central Plan for Revitalizing the Seed Industry designates the construction of the Nanfan Silicon Valley as a key task. To thoroughly implement the spirit of the General Secretary’s important instructions and the requirements set forth by the central authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the General Administration of Customs recently jointly issued the “National Nanfan Silicon Valley Construction Plan (2023–2030).”

The Plan takes high-quality development of the seed industry as its central theme and lays out a comprehensive roadmap for building the Nanfan Silicon Valley. Below, I will provide a brief interpretation. The key elements can be summarized as four strategic orientations, two-stage objectives, two-dimensional spatial arrangements, six major tasks, and seven supporting measures.

Four key positioning goals: to strive to build the Nanfan Silicon Valley into a national-level base for seed industry innovation, a new engine for high-quality development of the seed industry, a major international platform for scientific and technological cooperation in the seed sector, and a pilot zone for deepening reform and opening-up in the seed industry. Two-phase objectives: By 2025, the National Nanfan Silicon Valley will see a marked enhancement in its industrial driving force and international influence; initial agglomeration of key factors—resources, technology, talent, and capital—will take shape; supporting policies and institutional frameworks will be established and improved; the intellectual property protection system for the seed industry will be progressively refined; the business environment will be substantially optimized; breakthroughs in scientific and technological research will begin to emerge; and a preliminary national-level base for seed industry innovation will be in place. By 2030, under the institutional framework of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the seed industry’s innovation, policy, and industrial systems will be fully developed and perfected; world‑leading research institutions, innovative enterprises, and top-tier talent will continue to converge; the quality and pace of seed‑industry innovation will improve significantly; a number of internationally advanced research achievements will be attained; and a comprehensive Nanfan Silicon Valley serving the entire country—integrating research, production, sales, scientific exchange, and the commercialization of results—will be fully completed. Two‑pronged spatial layout: In terms of functional zoning, the plan centers on “One City, Two Sites, Three Parks.” “One City” refers to the Nanfan Science and Technology City—the venue of today’s press conference—designed to serve as a hub for seed‑industry innovation, support and assurance, international cooperation and exchange, and trade services. “Two Sites” comprise the National Nanfan Research and Breeding Base and the Global Plant and Animal Germplasm Resource Introduction and Transit Base, providing facilities for generation advancement, identification, multiplication of breeding materials, as well as transit quarantine and evaluation of germplasm resources. The “Three Parks” cover three key modern sectors—crops, livestock and poultry, and aquaculture—providing critical support for these areas. Meanwhile, the Seed Industry Industrial Park serves as an important platform for translating breeding innovations into practical applications. In terms of spatial planning, the layout follows a “One Core, One Axis, Multiple Bases” model. “One Core” places Sanya’s Yazu District at the heart of the initiative, concentrating the Nanfan Science and Technology City and the Global Plant and Animal Germplasm Resource Introduction and Transit Base there. “One Axis” runs through three counties—Sanya, Lingshui, and Ledong—establishing a National Nanfan Research and Breeding Protection Zone. “Multiple Bases” encompasses numerous high‑quality seed‑production bases and modern seed‑industry industrial parks distributed across the entire island of Hainan.

Six major tasks: First, establish key common platforms for cutting-edge research, applied‑research sub‑centers, and industry–university–research collaborative innovation platforms for the seed industry, thereby enhancing capabilities in scientific breeding and innovation. Second, build high‑standard seed‑production and breeding bases, as well as elite‑variety propagation centers for tropical crops, livestock, and aquaculture, to meet the demands of high‑level southern breeding activities. Third, develop industrial parks for crop, livestock, and aquaculture seed industries, thus constructing a modern southern‑breeding industrial system. Fourth, improve the support and safeguarding framework for the seed industry, strengthen the collection and conservation of germplasm resources, and enhance regulatory governance, thereby elevating the management and service capacities of southern breeding. Fifth, create international exchange and cooperation platforms, pursue overseas technological collaboration, bolster seed‑industry trade under the Belt and Road Initiative, and expand the development space for southern‑breeding seed enterprises. Sixth, upgrade quarantine and inspection facilities, streamline access channels for germplasm resources, reinforce technical support for resource testing, and ensure that biosecurity risks remain under control.

Seven safeguard measures: strengthening organizational leadership, improving laws and regulations, enhancing policy innovation, increasing financial support, ensuring land and marine resource allocation, reinforcing talent development, and intensifying oversight and guidance. Moving forward, we will thoroughly implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the central government’s decisions and arrangements for revitalizing the seed industry. Working together with relevant departments, we will strengthen communication, coordination, and advisory services to provide full support for Hainan Province in building a high‑quality “South Breeding Silicon Valley.” Now, we are ready to address any questions you may have.

The state attaches great importance to southern breeding work and has successively introduced a series of policies and measures to support the development of southern breeding bases. Could you please tell us about the current progress? Following the issuance and implementation of the Southern Breeding Silicon Valley plan, what new changes will it bring to the southern breeding bases?

Xie Yan:

As you just mentioned, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the development of the Nanfan breeding base. In particular, in 2015, with the approval of the State Council, the former Ministry of Agriculture, the National Development and Reform Commission, and other departments jointly issued the “National Nanfan Scientific Research and Breeding Base (Hainan) Construction Plan (2015–2025).” Since the plan’s promulgation, Hainan Province and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have worked closely with relevant departments and other provinces engaged in Nanfan activities, making every effort to advance the construction of the base and achieving significant results. First, land for Nanfan research and breeding has been effectively secured: a 268,000-mu protection zone has been designated, and a 53,000-mu core area has been established, fundamentally resolving the conflict between the development of other industries and the competing demands for land. Second, both infrastructure and operational support systems have been put in place: high-standard farmland within the protection zone has been fully completed; the Anmayang research and production support area in Lingshui and the Baokongyang area in Ledong are now ready for immediate occupancy; a 5,000-mu specialized bio-breeding zone has been commissioned; and central government funding—covering base operations and maintenance, subsidies for farmers providing land, and rewards for major seed-producing counties—has provided robust financial backing for the base’s orderly functioning. Third, the level of management and service has been significantly enhanced: Hainan Province has promulgated and implemented regulations on the administration of crop seeds and procedures for Nanfan registration; special intellectual property tribunals and collaborative centers for the examination of new agricultural plant varieties have been established one after another; a public experimental service platform for Nanfan has been put into operation; and the capacity and institutional framework of Nanfan management agencies continue to strengthen. Fourth, key factors driving breeding innovation have been concentrated: leading research institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and China Agricultural University have set up permanent bases; major seed‑industry research platforms—including the National Nanfan Crop Phenotyping Facility and the Innovation Center for Salt‑Alkali Tolerant Rice—have been established; and nationally prominent seed‑industry enterprises like Longya High-Tech and Zhongzhong Group have joined the effort, injecting fresh vitality into Nanfan breeding activities.

The recently released Plan for Building the Nanfan Silicon Valley builds on the base‑construction blueprint, comprehensively advancing the further upgrading of Nanfan through measures such as expanding research land, elevating breeding‑platform capabilities, establishing a modern industrial system, deepening international agricultural cooperation, and innovating institutional mechanisms in the seed industry. In essence, the Silicon Valley plan represents an upgraded, enhanced version of the base‑construction plan. Once implemented, it will bring about four major changes: First, it will establish Nanfan as a national hub for seed‑industry innovation. Leveraging platforms like the Yanzhou Bay Laboratory and the Nanfan Research and Breeding Base, innovation actors from industry, academia, and research will converge at an accelerated pace; advances in genomics, molecular genetics, synthetic biology, and related fields will be continuously strengthened, gradually turning Nanfan Silicon Valley into a pioneering source and commanding height of national seed‑technology innovation. Second, it will serve as a new engine for high‑quality development in the seed sector. Centered on the transformation and upgrading of the Nanfan industry, mechanisms for transferring and commercializing research outcomes will be further refined, market‑oriented incubation facilities will be expedited, and a comprehensive cluster of Nanfan‑related seed enterprises will be cultivated, thereby leading the nation’s drive toward high‑quality seed‑industry growth. Third, it will become a premier global platform for cooperation and exchange in the seed industry. As China’s vanguard for both “bringing in” and “going out,” Nanfan Silicon Valley will facilitate the efficient integration and deep convergence of key production factors—agricultural germplasm resources, technologies, talent, and capital—thus forging a new, internationally influential platform for seed‑industry collaboration and dialogue. Fourth, it will function as a pilot zone for deepening reform and opening up in the seed sector. The construction of Nanfan Silicon Valley will fully capitalize on the policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, accelerating the establishment of a robust intellectual‑property protection regime aligned with international norms, cultivating a world‑class business environment, and further unleashing innovative momentum and market vitality, thereby strengthening the foundations of Nanfan’s role in revitalizing the seed industry.

Germplasm resources are the source and foundation of breeding innovation. We have also noted that the Nanfan Silicon Valley plan proposes establishing a global hub for the import and transit of animal and plant germplasm resources. How can we better leverage the role of this transit base to facilitate the smooth flow of germplasm resources in and out?

Ao Biqiang, Member of the Party Committee and Commissioner of Haikou Customs, People’s Republic of China:

The establishment of a global transit hub for the importation of plant and animal genetic resources was an important directive issued by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection of Hainan in 2018. The National Plan for Building the Nanfan Silicon Valley has laid out measures to accelerate the construction of quarantine and isolation facilities for imported plant and animal genetic resources, streamline procedures for their entry and customs clearance, and strengthen biosecurity controls. Customs authorities have resolutely implemented the major decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, actively promoting the development and operational effectiveness of the transit hub. While firmly upholding the biosecurity red line, they have proactively facilitated the import and transit of genetic resources and enhanced international exchanges and cooperation. Specifically, two key initiatives have been undertaken.

On the one hand, we are earnestly strengthening biosecurity risk prevention and control. First, we are improving the monitoring mechanisms for animal and plant epidemics. The General Administration of Customs has established a port‑level surveillance system for animal and plant diseases and invasive alien species, continuously updating and refining testing and identification methods and tools, and promptly issuing early warning information. Second, we are upgrading infrastructure. We have guided Hainan Province in enhancing the facilities at Sanya Phoenix Airport and Nanshan Port to bolster inspection and verification capabilities, and we are advancing the construction of the National Quarantine Inspection Center (Sanya) to provide isolation quarantine and laboratory testing support for the importation of germplasm resources. Third, we are strengthening technical support. In line with the fundamental requirements of comprehensive technical means, rapid and accurate testing, and robust preventive measures, we are further refining the inspection and quarantine technical framework. Fourth, we are reinforcing emergency response. The General Administration of Customs has jointly established, with Hainan Province and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, a collaborative mechanism for the joint prevention and control of overseas animal and plant epidemics and invasive alien species, fostering coordinated efforts to effectively mitigate biosecurity risks.

On the other hand, efforts have been made to effectively streamline customs clearance for germplasm resources. First, measures to facilitate customs clearance have been advanced. The General Administration of Customs has delegated certain quarantine‑approval authorities over germplasm resources within its purview to Haikou Customs, further reducing approval steps and shortening processing times. While ensuring biosafety, eligible importing entities are permitted to implement conditional release procedures for imported seedlings, thereby enhancing clearance efficiency. Second, technical guidance is provided. Through a global database and query platform on epidemic and disease information as well as inspection‑and‑quarantine regulations and standards, relevant information is disseminated to research institutions and enterprises, enabling them to proactively assess conditions in source regions and avoid situations where shipments cannot clear customs due to epidemiological or disease‑related concerns. Third, a mechanism for mutual recognition of law enforcement has been established. Haikou Customs, together with the Hainan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Provincial Forestry Bureau, has instituted a mutual‑recognition system for the assessment of quarantine‑cultivation facilities for imported plant propagation materials. This inter‑agency mutual recognition of enforcement practices has further optimized regulatory procedures.

Going forward, the Customs Administration will, in accordance with the requirements of the National Southern Breeding Silicon Valley Development Plan, work with relevant departments to further strengthen institutional integration and innovation. While ensuring safety, it will explore and implement more streamlined quarantine and inspection measures to support the development of regional industries.

Just now, Director Xie outlined that by 2030, a national “South Breeding Silicon Valley” integrating scientific research, production, sales, and technology exchange—along with the commercialization of research outcomes—will be established. In the course of achieving this goal, what policy safeguards and other supporting measures has Hainan Province put in place?

He Qiongmei, Party Secretary and Director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

The launch and implementation of the Nanfan Silicon Valley plan represent a new opportunity for the development of the Nanfan initiative and a favorable chance to elevate Hainan’s seed industry. The provincial Party committee and government attach great importance to this endeavor, designating Nanfan as one of the three major high‑tech industries—land, sea, and air—to spearhead the province’s industrial transformation and upgrading. A series of supportive policies have been introduced, with all efforts directed toward building Nanfan Silicon Valley into a national hub for innovation in the seed sector, enabling scientists to focus on research and entrepreneurs to pursue their ventures with confidence.

First, enterprises are encouraged to increase their investment in scientific research. Several measures have been formulated to support the high-quality development of the seed industry, including policies such as post‑approval subsidies for variety promotion and incentives for corporate mergers and reorganizations, with subsidies topping out at RMB 10 million. Support is also provided for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements from southern breeding programs, with entities carrying out such transfers in Hainan receiving a subsidy equal to 30% of their promotion expenses. Enterprises are further encouraged to invest in innovation, with subsidies of up to RMB 1 million—equivalent to 30% of the annual increase in R&D expenditures.

Second, we will strengthen talent support and safeguards. We have issued a “delegation‑and‑streamlining” checklist to bolster talent development, along with a set of policies and measures for the comprehensive recruitment, cultivation, and effective utilization of talent in the free trade port. These measures grant greater autonomy in personnel management to universities, research institutes, and other institutions, and provide up to RMB 30 million in funding to teams recognized as “Provincial Outstanding Talent Teams.” In addition, we are implementing tax incentives, offering comprehensive income tax reductions to high‑end talent who reside on the island for more than 183 days per year.

Third, we will foster a robust industrial ecosystem. We will strengthen financial support by establishing a 600-million-yuan Nanfan Fund, with a focus on advancing cutting-edge, foundational research. We have signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Agricultural Bank of China to support the development of Nanfan seed‑production bases. We will intensify intellectual‑property protection by enacting the Free Trade Port Intellectual Property Protection Regulations and setting up the Free Trade Port Intellectual Property Court and the Free Trade Port Collaborative Center for the Examination of New Plant Varieties. We will also enhance the efficiency of administrative approvals by implementing one-stop services and online processing, thereby expediting procedures for seed‑production and business licenses, as well as for the protection of plant variety rights.

Fourth, we provide worry-free living security. The Hainan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Social Security (Medical Insurance) Center, in collaboration with the Southern Breeding Offices of 29 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, have jointly advanced out-of‑province medical insurance registration and facilitated out-of‑province settlement of medical expenses for southern breeding experts. Strategic cooperation agreements have been signed with key hospitals in cities and counties such as Sanya, Lingshui, and Ledong to establish an emergency assistance mechanism at Grade‑III hospitals for southern breeding researchers. Furthermore, the Agricultural Bank of China has issued “Southern Breeding Credit Cards” and “Southern Breeding Debit Cards” tailored for the migratory talent engaged in southern breeding, offering integrated services including savings, medical appointment booking, and airport travel support.

We have just heard that the Nanfan Silicon Valley development plan has outlined a series of major tasks and projects. Could you please elaborate on the primary investment priorities, and how will the funding for these initiatives be secured?

Yin Lei, Director of the Agriculture Division, Department of Rural Economy, National Development and Reform Commission:

In recent years, in line with the CPC Central Committee and the State Council’s strategic plan to ensure food security through land‑based and technology‑driven approaches, the National Development and Reform Commission has consistently provided robust support for the infrastructure development of the Nanfan breeding base. Particularly since the launch of the national seed industry revitalization initiative in 2021, the Commission has allocated central budgetary funds to finance a number of key projects. According to the National Nanfan Silicon Valley Construction Plan jointly issued by five ministries, the construction priorities are concentrated on four main areas: First, major scientific research facilities—targeting the cutting edge of crop breeding research, the plan calls for establishing critical common‑use platforms and applied research hubs, including a crop phenotyping platform, a gene‑discovery platform, a precision‑design breeding center, and an innovation center for salt‑alkali‑tolerant rice. Second, high‑standard seed‑production bases—focusing on scale, standardization, and intelligent technologies to meet the needs of the Nanfan industry, the plan promotes the development of high‑standard farmland and other infrastructure, thereby enhancing the capacity to provide reliable seed‑production services. Third, a comprehensive support and safeguard system for the seed industry—this includes the establishment of animal and plant gene banks, a South China Sea fishery biological germplasm resource bank, plant variety testing centers, and aquatic product variety testing centers, all aimed at strengthening Nanfan’s overall support and management capabilities. Fourth, isolation, inspection, and quarantine facilities—strictly upholding biosafety standards, these facilities, such as base‑level and animal quarantine isolation sites, provide essential safeguards for domestic and international technological cooperation and for ensuring the safety of imports and exports.

With regard to funding, the plan calls for strengthening diversified investment and market‑based operations, and for actively exploring the establishment of a multi‑source financing mechanism involving joint contributions from the central and local governments, as well as broad participation from enterprises and civil society. At the national level, our commission will provide robust support to eligible projects through channels such as central budgetary allocations and special-purpose local government bonds. At the local level, Hainan Province is expected to assume its role as the primary implementer of the plan, intensify fundraising efforts in accordance with laws and regulations, and steadily advance the construction of relevant projects. Meanwhile, the plan encourages other provinces, along with industrial capital, financial institutions, public‑interest funds, and social capital, to increase their investments and collectively contribute to the development of the Nanfan Silicon Valley.

Sanya has long been the national center for southern breeding. With many of the key projects outlined in these plans slated to be located in Sanya, could you please elaborate on the specific measures Sanya will implement going forward to ensure the high-quality completion of the aforementioned tasks?

Zhang Changfeng, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Mayor of the Sanya Municipal People’s Government:

Beginning in the 1950s, scientists, working day and night, followed the sun to Sanya, leveraging the region’s unique “temperature” to forge what has become Sanya’s most iconic geographical indication: China’s Southern Breeding Program. Today, many of the key initiatives underpinning the development of a “Southern Breeding Silicon Valley” can be strategically located here. Sanya feels both a profound sense of responsibility and a great honor, and we are fully prepared.

First, we proactively laid out our plans and carried out meticulous planning. To accelerate the development of the National Southern Breeding Silicon Valley, Sanya has continuously refined the spatial and functional layout of Yalong Bay Science and Technology City, formulating and issuing the “Sanya Yalong Bay Science and Technology City Master Plan (2018–2035)” and the “Southern Breeding Science and Technology City Industrial Plan.” By establishing a clear spatial framework and defining strategic industrial priorities well in advance, the construction of the Southern Breeding Science and Technology City has fully demonstrated the pivotal role of forward‑looking planning, ensuring that projects can readily take root and be implemented. Today, a new city integrating research, education, work, living, healthcare, schooling, leisure, and shopping has been completed, warmly welcoming southern breeding professionals and enterprises to Sanya to develop and expand the seed industry.

Secondly, we place great emphasis on key factors to ensure robust support. First, we prioritize land security: we have strategically planned and developed the Yanzhou Bay Science and Technology City across 69.3 square kilometers, thereby underpinning the construction of the Nanfan Science and Technology City and fully facilitating the implementation of priority projects outlined in the Nanfan Silicon Valley plan in Sanya. At the same time, we are pioneering the establishment of a demonstration zone for the integration of agricultural reclamation and development, securing land resources through multiple channels to support the growth and expansion of the Nanfan Silicon Valley. All of Sanya’s Nanfan research bases have now completed high-standard farmland upgrades, and we have established a smart Nanfan research and breeding demonstration base spanning over 1,500 mu, driving quality improvements and modernization across 268,000 mu of Nanfan‑related farmland. Second, we focus on talent assurance: by building the Yanzhou Bay Science and Technology City’s Research and Learning Valley and leveraging the Yanzhou Bay Laboratory, together with agricultural universities and research institutes, we have cultivated a tiered system of scientific talent. This has attracted 30 academicians in agriculture and their teams, set up seven academician workstations and two academician innovation teams in agri‑related fields, and brought in a total of 863 high‑level professionals in the Nanfan sector. Additionally, we have recruited 1,429 Hainan‑specific graduate students specializing in Nanfan research. Third, we are committed to optimizing the business environment and vigorously promoting investment attraction. To date, leading seed companies such as SDIC Seed Industry, China National Seed Group, Dabeinong, Jiushenghe, Chenshui Aquaculture, and Longping Bio have all established operations here, fostering the emergence of a modern seed industry cluster. Fourth, we strengthen financial support: the Sanya municipal government allocates an average of approximately RMB 1.88 billion annually to fund the development of the Nanfan Science and Technology City, while also issuing RMB 1.2 billion in private corporate bonds to finance services supporting the Nanfan Silicon Valley initiative within the Yanzhou Bay Science and Technology City.

Third, we have bolstered our policies and maintained sustained efforts. To ensure the successful development of the Nanfan Science and Technology City, we have remained committed to the spirit of “success need not be attributed to me, but success must include my contribution,” demonstrating both confidence and perseverance. We have successively introduced a series of supportive measures, including the “Several Measures (Trial) for Accelerating Talent Agglomeration in Sanya Yalong Bay Science and Technology City of the Hainan Free Trade Port,” the “Administrative Measures for Enterprise Service Vouchers in Sanya Yalong Bay Science and Technology City,” the “Ten Measures to Support High-Quality Development of the Nanfan Seed Industry,” and the “Measures to Promote the Development of High-Tech Enterprises in Sanya Yalong Bay Science and Technology City.” These policies continue to advance the integrated development of industry and urban areas by strengthening talent recruitment, providing enterprise support, and fostering industrial growth, thereby laying a solid foundation for accelerating the city’s transformation into a hub of scientific and technological innovation and a thriving industrial center—efforts that will yield lasting results. In addition, Sanya has established an organizational framework led by the principal leaders of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, which will ensure the continued implementation of all tasks and key projects outlined in the plan, contributing Sanya’s share to the early realization of the Nanfan Silicon Valley.

We have noted that the Hainan Free Trade Port is slated to achieve closed‑border operations by the end of 2025. What implications will this have for Nanfan, and what considerations does the Nanfan Silicon Valley have in response?

Xie Yan:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with relevant departments, firmly supports Hainan in advancing the high‑quality “going global” of its seed industry and the high‑level “bringing in” of foreign expertise. First, approval authority has been delegated: the issuance of import‑export production and business licenses for crop seeds has been transferred to Hainan, and to date, 12 enterprises have obtained such licenses and commenced import‑export operations. Second, requirements for foreign investment access have been appropriately relaxed. With the exception of sectors where investment is prohibited, the scope of crops subject to restrictions on foreign investment in the seed sector has been narrowed from “all crops” to just “wheat and corn,” and foreign ownership stakes are permitted within the free trade port. Third, intellectual property protection has been strengthened. The Seed Law has been revised to establish a system of essentially derived varieties, and measures such as establishing specialized IP tribunals in Hainan have been supported, accelerating the development of an IP protection framework aligned with internationally accepted norms.

Building the Nanfan Silicon Valley, implementing Hainan Free Trade Port policies, and fostering deep integration among seed‑industry resources, technologies, talent, and capital—while collaborating with global tropical agricultural innovation networks—will facilitate the sharing of research outcomes along the Belt and Road, promoting resource sharing and common development. We will focus on three key areas: First, we will support international cooperation in seed‑industry technologies. By launching a series of major research programs tailored to breeding innovation and critical technological needs, we will encourage enterprises to engage in international partnerships for resources, technologies, and talent. Leveraging institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences and the Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, we will establish modern agricultural science‑and‑technology parks and demonstration bases for new varieties. Second, we will strengthen seed‑industry trade under the Belt and Road Initiative. We will encourage enterprises to actively participate in Belt and Road development by setting up overseas R&D centers and branch offices. At the same time, we will deepen collaboration with international bodies such as the International Seed Federation, the Asia-Pacific Seed Association, and the International Seed Testing Association, aligning inspection and testing methods and standards with global norms and achieving mutual recognition of test results. Third, we will develop the seed‑industry exhibition economy. We will build a dedicated seed‑industry convention and exhibition center, host international brand‑name events, and create platforms for international cooperation and exchange. In addition, we will support the establishment of pilot zones for agricultural opening-up and international cooperation, refining open and inclusive frameworks for dialogue and collaborative mechanisms.

At present, some southern breeding institutions are concerned that rising land prices could lead to instability in land use. In light of these concerns, how is Hainan ensuring the long-term stability of land designated for seed‑breeding activities in the Southern Breeding Silicon Valley?

He Qiongmei:

Thank you to the journalist for the question. We have indeed observed that some Nanfan research institutions harbor such concerns. I would like to share three key points. First, the overall supply of land designated for Nanfan scientific research is secure. In terms of scale, the 268,000 mu of protected areas have all been developed into high-standard farmland, ensuring an ample reserve of land for Nanfan research. From a practical standpoint, the existing Nanfan bases in Sanya, Ledong, and Lingshui remain stable, and nearly 10,000 mu of additional land within the newly established core zones—according to the Nanfan research and breeding base development plan—is available for transfer and use by Nanfan institutions, with such land distributed across all three cities and counties. Meanwhile, in the vicinity of the Nanfan Science and Technology City, nearly 20,000 mu have been newly designated, and the Hainan Reclamation Group has opened up over 8,000 mu of new Nanfan research land; yet Nanfan institutions have leased only about half of this area, leaving substantial land still available for utilization.

Second, the stable maintenance of land‑transfer prices within a reasonable range is supported by policy. As is well known, winter vegetable and melon cultivation in Hainan yields high returns, prompting some farmers to prioritize allocating their land to this production. To safeguard land transfers for southern breeding activities, relevant central authorities and Hainan Province have introduced corresponding support measures. First, there is a deposit subsidy: farmers who lease their land to research institutions and seed companies for southern breeding can receive annual subsidies from the central government. Second, interest‑rate subsidies on loans: for service organizations that pool and transfer land at reasonable rates for long‑term provision to research institutes and seed companies engaged in southern breeding, the interest on their loans used to finance these transfers may be subsidized by provincial fiscal funds. Although land rental rates for southern breeding have risen somewhat in recent years, taking into account price levels, costs, and other factors, the overall pricing remains within a reasonable range.

Second, land designated for southern breeding research is subject to strict land-use control. The Hainan Province Regulations on the Administration of Crop Seed Production explicitly stipulate that farmland within the southern breeding protection zones is classified as permanent basic farmland and placed under protective status, with land-use controls in place. To date, all farmland in these protection zones has been mapped and registered in the national database. Relevant departments in Hainan Province, along with the three cities and counties concerned, have prioritized the management and services of southern breeding bases, conducting rigorous law enforcement and inspections to ensure that the area of land allocated to these research and breeding protection zones remains unchanged in both quantity and designation.

Going forward, we will collaborate with the three cities and counties to conduct a needs assessment of the southern breeding institutions, provide robust support, and work diligently to address the challenges they face in their southern breeding activities.

Source: People’s Daily (Agriculture Edition)