Han Jun, Party Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has just issued a statement, sending an important signal! Here’s what it says about the seed industry →

At 10:00 a.m. on July 24, the State Council Information Office held a series of thematic press conferences on “Promoting High-Quality Development.” Han Jun, Secretary of the Party Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; and Wang Lejun, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer of the Ministry, attended to present an overview of the situation and answer questions from reporters.

It is worth noting that this was the first press conference Han Jun attended after assuming his post as Party Secretary of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

In the seed industry, the press conference highlighted the following key points:

• There is widespread attention on this year’s grain production outlook. This summer, the summer grain harvest was once again bountiful, with output increasing by 7.25 billion jin to reach 299.56 billion jin—marking another record high. In particular, over the past few years, we have made concerted efforts to boost soybean production, raising the self-sufficiency rate of soybeans by nearly four percentage points in just two years.

   

• The contribution of agricultural scientific and technological progress has exceeded 63%, full mechanization has been essentially achieved across the entire production process for the three major staple crops, and significant achievements have been made in agricultural science and technology innovation.

   

• The increase in per‑unit yield contributed more than 90 percent to the rise in summer grain production. Over the past two years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has focused on major grain and oilseed crops—such as corn, wheat, and soybeans—by launching large‑scale initiatives to boost yields. To date, over 1 billion mu of high‑standard farmland have been developed, significantly enhancing agriculture’s capacity to prevent and withstand disasters.

   

• In the new era and on the new journey, we must ensure the stable and secure supply of food and other essential agricultural products for our more than 1.4 billion people—a task of paramount importance. With arable land at a fixed limit, the fundamental path to maintaining and increasing production lies in science and technology.

   

• From a global perspective, a new wave of agricultural technological revolution—characterized by biotechnology and information technology—is poised to deliver major breakthroughs. Countries are vying to seize the commanding heights, and we must absolutely avoid falling behind. At present, we are thoroughly studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the National Science and Technology Conference, and, in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we are making every effort to advance high‑level self-reliance and self‑strengthening in agricultural science and technology.

   

• It is essential to focus on addressing critical bottlenecks and weaknesses in key sectors—such as high-oil, high-yield soybean varieties and advanced, intelligent agricultural machinery—and to pool resources from all quarters to tackle these challenges.

   

• It is essential to leverage major agricultural science and technology initiatives—such as the Seed Industry Revitalization Campaign and efforts to master critical core agricultural technologies—as well as key innovation platforms, to cultivate and attract a cohort of strategic scientists, leading scientific and technological talents, and innovative teams. Particular emphasis should be placed on nurturing young scientific and technological talent, thereby continuously strengthening the ranks of agricultural science and technology professionals.

The following is the full transcript of the press conference:

Han Jun, Secretary of the Party Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

Distinguished members of the press, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Thank you all for attending today’s press conference, and thank you to both new and longstanding friends for your continued strong support of agricultural and rural development. This is the first press conference I have attended since assuming my post at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and I am truly delighted to have this opportunity to engage with the media. Now, I would like to brief you on the progress of high-quality development in the “three rural issues” sector.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently placed the resolution of “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” issues at the top of the Party’s work agenda. It has won the battle against poverty, implemented the rural revitalization strategy, and achieved historic accomplishments and transformative changes in agricultural and rural development. Agricultural and rural departments at all levels have kept firmly in mind the overarching national interests, thoroughly studied and applied General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” work, and conscientiously carried out the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. They have tirelessly strengthened the foundation of national food security, continuously ensured that agricultural and rural development maintains a steady momentum of progress and quality improvement, taken solid steps toward building a strong agricultural country, and secured new achievements in the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, thereby providing robust support for the economy’s recovery and high-quality development.
 

We are fully committed to ensuring the stable and secure supply of grain and other essential agricultural products—the top priority—so that the food security of China’s more than 1.4 billion people remains firmly in our own hands. By implementing the strategies of “storing grain in the land” and “storing grain in technology,” China has maintained grain output above 1.3 trillion jin for nine consecutive years, reaching 1.3908 trillion jin last year, with per capita grain availability at 493 kilograms. Many are closely watching this year’s grain production outlook; once again, summer grain yields have been abundant, with an increase of 7.25 billion jin, bringing total summer grain output to 299.56 billion jin—a new record high. In particular, over the past few years, we have made concerted efforts to boost soybean production, raising the self-sufficiency rate by nearly four percentage points in just two years. Supplies of cotton, oilseeds, sugar, meat, eggs, dairy products, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and tea are all ample, and an ever-growing array of green, high-quality agricultural products is now on consumers’ tables.

We have continued to strengthen and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, firmly safeguarding the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty. During the transition period, we maintained the stability of support programs and policies, steadily consolidating and enhancing progress in rural compulsory education, basic medical care, housing security, and safe drinking water. We have effectively operated a dynamic monitoring and assistance mechanism to prevent relapse into poverty, with a strong focus on bolstering industry‑based and employment‑oriented support, thereby ensuring that no large‑scale resurgence of poverty has occurred.

We have made every effort to improve agricultural science and technology infrastructure, and the level of agricultural modernization has continued to rise. The contribution of scientific and technological progress to agricultural development has exceeded 63 percent, full mechanization has been largely achieved for the three major staple crops, and significant breakthroughs have been made in agricultural innovation. More than one billion mu of high-standard farmland has been built, markedly enhancing agriculture’s capacity to prevent and mitigate disasters. The ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River has yielded tangible results.

We have coordinated efforts to advance rural development and governance, steadily moving forward with the building of livable, work‑friendly, and beautiful countryside. We have extended infrastructure and public services to rural areas, achieving a coverage rate of around 75% for sanitary toilets in rural regions. All eligible townships and administrative villages now have access to paved roads, while the coverage of piped tap water in rural areas has reached 90%. Moreover, more than 90% of administrative villages are now covered by 5G networks. The quality of basic public services—such as education, healthcare, and elderly care—continues to improve, and farmers engage in a rich variety of self‑organized cultural activities. As a result, rural residents enjoy a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security in the process of rural revitalization.

We have steadfastly leveraged the powerful tool of deepening reform to continuously invigorate agricultural and rural development. We have upheld and improved the basic rural operating system, steadily refined the institutional reform that separates the three rights related to contracted land, and firmly safeguarded the bottom lines of maintaining the public‑ownership nature of land, protecting the arable‑land red line, and ensuring farmers’ interests are not harmed. Moderate‑scale land management has advanced in an orderly manner, and pilot programs to extend rural land contracts by another 30 years after the second round expires are progressing steadily. We have also completed a comprehensive inventory of rural collective assets. Today, we are vigorously fostering new types of agricultural business entities, with over 2.2 million farmer cooperatives and nearly 4 million family farms, while the socialized agricultural service system continues to improve. We have continued to focus on developing rural “local specialties,” accelerated the integrated development of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries in rural areas, and actively cultivated new rural industries and business models. Meanwhile, we have steadily promoted the urbanization of rural migrants, continually expanding channels for farmers’ employment and income growth. In 2023, per capita disposable income of rural residents reached 21,691 yuan, and the income gap between urban and rural residents narrowed from 2.81 in 2013 to 2.39. In the first half of this year, rural residents’ per capita disposable income stood at 11,272 yuan, growing by 6.6% in real terms—2.1 percentage points faster than the growth rate of urban residents’ incomes.

Looking back, the achievements in agricultural and rural development are truly encouraging. These accomplishments owe their success, above all, to the steadfast leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has laid out a comprehensive plan for the major tasks of agricultural and rural reform and development. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will remain guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, stay committed to the goal of building a strong agricultural country, and work diligently to advance all aspects of the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, thus writing an even more splendid new chapter for “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” on the new journey ahead.

Q: The recently concluded Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee laid out a comprehensive plan for further deepening reform, with rural reform serving as a key component. Could you please outline the priorities for the next phase of reform and explain how these will be advanced?

Han Jun: Thank you for your question. The issues you have raised are receiving close attention across the board. As we know, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which recently concluded, laid out a strategic plan to further deepen reform in all respects and advance Chinese‑style modernization. I personally attended the entire session. In the Session’s Decision, agricultural and rural reform was given considerable weight; a dedicated chapter sets out a systematic framework for improving the institutional mechanisms that promote integrated urban–rural development, clearly defining the key tasks of rural reform and providing crucial guidance and a solid basis for advancing rural reform on the new journey ahead. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches, meticulously plan and effectively carry out the priority tasks of agricultural and rural reform, and inject fresh momentum and vitality into the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas. To this end, we will focus on three key areas—three major pillars of rural reform.

First, we must steadfastly consolidate and improve the basic rural operating system. China’s reform movement originated in the countryside, and this year marks the 46th anniversary of rural reform. Over these 46 years, what has been the most significant achievement? The establishment of a fundamental rural operating system. On April 25, 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a symposium on rural reform in Xiaogang Village, Anhui Province, where he emphasized: “China’s rural reform began with properly managing the relationship between farmers and land,” and “the paramount policy is to uphold and improve the basic rural operating system.” As we often say, the basic rural operating system is the cornerstone of the Party’s rural policies. From a policy standpoint, it rests on three key pillars: first, upholding collective ownership of rural land; second, maintaining the foundational role of household-based management; and third, ensuring stable land contract relationships. The Decision adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee lays out specific measures to consolidate and improve the basic rural operating system, stressing the need to steadily advance pilot programs for extending land contracts by another 30 years after their initial terms expire, deepen the reform separating the rights of land ownership, contract rights, and operational rights, and promote moderately scaled agricultural operations. Counting from the first round of land contracting at the outset of rural reform, with a further 30-year extension following the second round, rural land contract relationships will remain in place for as long as 75 years—clearly reflecting the principle of long-term stability. In accordance with the central government’s directives, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will earnestly implement this major policy of consolidating and improving the basic rural operating system. This year, we have launched pilot programs in three entire provinces—Anhui, Hunan, and Guangxi, all of which I have previously worked in—and other provinces are now organizing county- and township-level pilots. The overarching policy tone is to adhere to overall continuity, ensuring that the vast majority of households retain stable access to their existing contracted land—a position that is explicitly enshrined in policy. Moving forward, we will continue to guide the orderly transfer of land‑use rights, strengthen the agricultural business system, and enhance the socialized agricultural service system, thereby better integrating smallholder farmers into the trajectory of modern agricultural development. Can smallholders effectively connect with modern agriculture? Absolutely. Not long ago, during a field visit to Hebei Province, I met a 74-year-old woman. I asked whether she still had any land, and she replied that she did—six mu. I then inquired if she rented it out, but she said no. “At 74, you’re still farming?” I asked. She explained that she hires others to cultivate her land, relying on entrusted‑management services, with every stage of production handled by hired labor. After doing the math, she found that entrusting her land yielded more than renting it out—over 200 yuan per mu. “I’m making over 1,000 yuan more,” she said, “why wouldn’t I do it?” Thus, even a 74‑year‑old can successfully farm her land under today’s socialized service system. In short, there are multiple pathways to agricultural modernization, and smallholders can indeed be integrated into the modern agricultural development framework. Here, I would like to underscore one point in particular: land transfers must strictly adhere to the principles of legality, voluntariness, and compensation; they must never contravene farmers’ wishes, infringe upon their interests, or alter the intended use of the land. We also explicitly prohibit practices such as setting quotas or assigning targets, or incorporating the area and proportion of transferred land into performance evaluations, as means of promoting land transfers. In other words, coercive measures are not permitted in this regard. This constitutes our first priority area.

Second, we will steadfastly prioritize the development of agriculture and rural areas. The Decision dedicates a separate section to improving the systems that support agriculture, benefit farmers, and enrich rural communities, outlining specific measures to refine mechanisms for investing in rural revitalization, optimize the agricultural subsidy policy framework, establish a regularized mechanism to prevent relapse into poverty or falling into poverty among rural residents, strengthen safeguards for grain‑producing farmers’ incomes, and set up an inter‑provincial horizontal compensation mechanism for balancing interests between grain‑producing and grain‑consuming regions. Prioritizing agriculture and rural development is a key principle for addressing the “three rural” issues; concretely, this means adhering to the “four priorities”: giving priority to cadre allocation, ensuring priority access to production factors, guaranteeing priority funding, and making priority arrangements for public services. This is a clear directive from the Party Central Committee. To translate these “four priorities” into concrete reform initiatives, much work remains to be done. We will promptly refine and operationalize these measures, and in areas such as cadre deployment, factor allocation, financial investment, and public services, we will advance more robust actions to accelerate efforts to address the shortcomings hindering agricultural and rural development.
 

Third, we must uphold integrated urban–rural development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that “revitalizing rural areas cannot be done by focusing solely on the countryside; rather, we must strengthen the approach of using industry to support agriculture and cities to drive rural development.” We need to coordinate and advance new‑type industrialization, new‑type urbanization, and the all‑round revitalization of rural areas; establish and improve institutional mechanisms and policy frameworks for integrated urban–rural development; comprehensively raise the level of integration in urban–rural planning, construction, and governance; promote equal exchange and two‑way flow of factors between urban and rural areas; gradually narrow the gap between them; and foster shared prosperity and common development. To this end, we must first accelerate the process of turning rural migrants into urban residents, implement a system whereby basic services are provided based on household registration at the place of permanent residence, and ensure that eligible rural migrants enjoy the same rights as local registered residents in areas such as social insurance, housing security, and compulsory education for their accompanying children. This is a highly significant policy. In this regard, we must, in accordance with the law, safeguard the land contract rights, residential land use rights, and rights to share collective income of farmers who have settled in cities. I would like to emphasize here that current policies permit exploring voluntary, compensated exit mechanisms for these three rights, but such measures must be carried out prudently and with great care. Taking the withdrawal of residential land use rights as an example, the overarching policy stance is that any related policies must be introduced cautiously, avoiding rash moves—such as offering a lump sum of tens of thousands of yuan to buy out these rights outright—which may not necessarily serve farmers’ long-term interests. We must leave room for flexibility and prioritize farmers’ long-term well-being. Legally, residential land use rights are clearly defined: they are rights enjoyed by members of rural collective economic organizations, meaning that non‑members of such organizations have no right to acquire them, nor to obtain them indirectly. All our laws are very clear on this point, and policy requirements are equally explicit. Under no circumstances should we create loopholes or make exceptions; it is strictly prohibited to allow the construction of villas or private clubs on rural residential land, and it is likewise forbidden to allocate residential land for housing to retired cadres and employees returning to their hometowns. We must firmly uphold these policy red lines. The Decision adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee makes this point crystal clear: current policies permit legally owned rural housing to be revitalized through leasing, equity participation, cooperation, and other means, and localities are encouraged to explore innovative approaches so that farmers can reap greater benefits from reform.

Q: The construction of high-standard farmland is a major undertaking to ensure national food security. In recent years, nationwide efforts to build such farmland have yielded significant results. Could you please provide an update on the overall progress of this initiative? And what steps will be taken next to further improve the mechanisms for constructing, inspecting, and maintaining high-standard farmland?

Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Thank you to the journalist for the question. The development of high-standard farmland is vital to ensuring national food security and directly affects the immediate interests of farmers; it is both a project for improving people’s livelihoods and one that wins public support. As Secretary Han Jun noted in his briefing, substantial progress has been made in this area. The Party Central Committee attaches great importance to this work, and all sectors of society are closely following it. Over the years, agricultural and rural departments at all levels have earnestly implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. With strong support from relevant departments, they have continuously intensified efforts, achieving significant advances. By the end of last year, the cumulative area of completed high-standard farmland exceeded 1 billion mu, with more than 10 million kilometers of on‑field irrigation and drainage channels and over 27 million small-scale water conservancy facilities constructed. As a result, farmland’s capacity to withstand and mitigate disasters has improved markedly, enabling reduced yield losses during major disasters, stable yields during minor ones, and increased production in the absence of disasters—providing crucial support for maintaining national grain output above 650 million tons for nine consecutive years. This year, the state has substantially raised the investment standards for high‑standard farmland, further strengthening the foundation for elevating construction quality.

As the data just presented make clear, high-standard farmland development is extensive in scope, spanning numerous locations and covering vast areas. To ensure project quality, we have earnestly implemented a working mechanism of “central coordination, provincial overall responsibility, city‑ and county‑level execution, and public participation.” In collaboration with relevant departments, we have refined institutional frameworks and standards, rigorously enforced task implementation, and safeguarded quality. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee called for improving the mechanisms for constructing, inspecting, and maintaining high-standard farmland. We will adhere to the guiding principle of “quality first, balancing quantity with quality,” adopt stringent and decisive measures, and spare no effort to guarantee construction quality, ensuring that every acre built delivers on its promise. Key efforts will focus on three priority areas:

First, strengthen construction management across the entire process. It is necessary to rationally set construction standards for high-standard farmland in different regions and for different types of land, guide localities in further optimizing spatial planning and prioritizing projects, and ensure that preliminary work such as project design is carried out thoroughly. Moreover, strictly enforce local responsibility for engineering quality management and rigorously control quality at every stage, including project selection, tendering, materials procurement, construction, and acceptance.

Second, we will conduct routine supervision and inspection. In the near term, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will launch a “look-back” review of the quality of high-standard farmland construction projects and a special rectification campaign, focusing on issues such as lack of electricity, water supply, or proper functionality in farmland water‑conservation infrastructure. Localities will be organized to carry out comprehensive surveys and implement targeted corrective measures based on categorization. This year, we will also conduct regular, random quality inspections nationwide; for any problems identified, local authorities will be required to ensure rigorous rectification, with strict accountability pursued in accordance with laws and regulations. Cases suspected of illegal or criminal activity will be promptly referred to the judicial authorities for handling.

Third, we will adopt multiple measures to strengthen post‑construction management and maintenance. We will work with relevant departments to further refine the related institutional framework, encouraging localities to integrate the planning of management entities, maintenance mechanisms, and supporting measures into the early stages of high‑standard farmland development projects. This will ensure that responsibilities and standards are clearly defined, enabling effective implementation of post‑construction management and maintenance practices, preventing such efforts from being merely nominal or falling short of expectations, and reversing the tendency in some areas to prioritize construction over ongoing management. In this way, we can truly ensure that farmland is not only well built but also well maintained. Thank you.

Q: At the opening earlier, Secretary Han announced some good news: this year’s summer grain output has reached a record high. We’d like to ask: given the frequent occurrence of meteorological disasters, how was such a bumper harvest achieved? In addition, we’ve noted that since the start of summer, many regions have experienced droughts and floods of varying severity. Will these conditions affect the autumn grain crop? And what safeguards and measures are in place to strive for a bountiful grain harvest for the entire year?

Han Jun: Thank you for your question. Among the “three rural” issues, food security is what concerns everyone most. As a country of over 1.4 billion people, we must keep our rice bowls firmly in our own hands and allow no room for error in ensuring national food security. As I mentioned earlier, this year’s summer grain production increased by 7.25 billion jin—what does that mean? It represents the largest year-on-year increase in summer grain output over the past nine years, which has played a clear role in stabilizing prices and bolstering public expectations. This year’s bumper summer harvest can be attributed primarily to two factors. First, the planted area remained stable, providing the foundation for increased production. Without stable acreage, there can be no basis for a good harvest. Last year, localities proactively addressed adverse conditions during autumn sowing, ensuring that all land suitable for planting was indeed sown. The area under summer wheat reached 346 million mu, an increase of 475,000 mu from last year—a significant achievement given the challenges involved. The second key factor behind this year’s bountiful summer grain harvest is higher yields per unit area. Today, boosting agricultural output hinges largely on raising yields, which requires high‑quality seeds—but seeds alone are not enough. Superior varieties must be closely integrated with high‑quality farmland, advanced machinery, and sound farming practices, complemented by supportive policies. This year, the minimum procurement price for summer wheat was raised, helping to stabilize farmers’ expectations. Only through comprehensive measures and coordinated efforts can we ultimately see yield increases. This year, summer wheat yields rose by 10 kilograms per mu, a 2.6% increase—the largest annual gain in yield per unit area over the past five years. Our calculations show that improved yields accounted for more than 90% of the overall increase in summer grain production. Over the past two years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has launched large‑scale initiatives to boost yields of major grain and oilseed crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans. For example, in wheat production, we have integrated and promoted key technologies—including deep tillage, post‑sowing compaction, and combined water‑fertilizer application—and carried out “one spray, three protections” across the board during critical growth stages, effectively managing pest and disease control through unified prevention and emergency response. During the summer harvest, we organized more than 600,000 combine harvesters to operate across regions—an impressive feat. By coordinating yield gains with loss reduction, we have achieved these remarkable results. Having worked at the provincial level myself, I can attest to the importance of this: provincial leaders must take firm responsibility for food security, paying close attention to these technical measures. When such measures are properly implemented, they deliver tangible results.

Summer grain has gotten off to a strong start, which is encouraging news. However, the bulk of China’s grain production comes from the autumn harvest, which accounts for three-quarters of the country’s total output. Everyone is closely watching the outlook for autumn crops. Since the start of summer, southern regions have faced flooding while northern areas have suffered droughts, with some locales experiencing rapid shifts between the two. I recently returned to Beijing after serving in Anhui—a province that straddles both southern and northern climates. At first, northern Anhui endured severe drought, followed by widespread flooding; similarly, Henan has recently seen abrupt transitions from dry conditions to heavy rain, with waterlogging setting in within just a day or two—phenomena that are becoming increasingly routine. Our assessments indicate that the nationwide area of crops affected by adverse weather is higher than last year, yet the area classified as “severely damaged” has decreased by more than six million mu compared with the same period last year. According to our ministry’s crop‑condition monitoring, the acreage planted to autumn crops remains broadly stable, with overall growth progressing normally. As you may have noted, I took office on Friday and convened a full‑day meeting on Saturday. On Sunday, I traveled to Hebei to assess the drought situation, and subsequently visited Heilongjiang to inspect crop conditions. In recent days, Henan has experienced particularly severe disasters, prompting our ministry’s staff to rush to the region to conduct on‑site inspections and provide robust support for disaster relief and efforts to secure a good harvest.

As everyone knows, we are now in the critical period of flood prevention and drought relief—“late July to early August”—which also marks a pivotal phase for determining the yield of autumn grain crops. We will remain constantly vigilant in disaster prevention and mitigation. At the ministry, I have emphasized that we must fully anticipate difficulties and prepare for major floods, severe droughts, and large-scale disasters, with particular focus on key production areas and regions hardest hit. For these affected areas, we have outlined a set of measures: for waterlogged fields, we are expediting drainage to reduce waterlogging; in some places, roadside and field-side ditches are blocked, preventing runoff, so we are now working to clear and unblock several key channels to ensure proper drainage—without it, corn cannot survive even three days of submersion. For drought‑stricken plots, we are exhausting every possible means to secure water sources and provide timely irrigation. And for fields where the harvest has been lost, we are encouraging farmers to switch to alternative crops or replant, using short‑maturing varieties where appropriate; if grain production is no longer viable, vegetable crops can be planted instead. In short, we must not allow any land to lie fallow. We must accelerate the recovery of agricultural production after the disaster. To this end, we are dispatching agricultural science and technology experts to the front lines, while officials at all levels of the agriculture and rural affairs departments are also being deployed to work directly on the ground—going into villages, visiting households, stationing themselves in specific areas, and providing precise, meticulous guidance and support—so as to strive for a bumper harvest of autumn grains and a successful year‑round agricultural output.

Q: While hog farming has now turned a profit, dairy and beef cattle farming remain unprofitable. What is the outlook for livestock production and supply in the second half of the year, and what measures will be taken to stabilize the sector’s development?

Wang Lejun, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Thank you for the question. Since the beginning of this year, production of meat, eggs, and milk has increased across the board. As Secretary Han just mentioned, overall supply remains ample. In the first half of the year, national production of pork, beef, mutton, and poultry rose 0.6% year on year, egg output grew by 2.7%, and milk production increased by 3.4%, ensuring a sufficient market supply of livestock products—though prices have generally remained at low levels. Specifically, in the hog sector, thanks to both market forces and capacity‑adjustment measures, hog production capacity has moderated from its recent peak, leading to an early rebound in prices; hog farming has now returned to normal profitability. Our calculations show that recently, each marketed hog has yielded a profit of around 400 yuan. By contrast, prices for beef cattle and dairy cows have fallen sharply: in the first half of the year, beef and raw milk prices declined by 12.1% and 12.5%, respectively, pushing beef and dairy cattle producers into loss‑making conditions.

Regarding the outlook for the second half of the year: In the hog sector, momentum remains positive, with robust production and strong sales. Two sets of data illustrate this trend. On the sow front, the June inventory stood at 40.38 million head, equivalent to 103.5% of the normal target level of 39 million—placing it within the green, appropriately balanced range for capacity management. As for medium- and large‑size hogs, the end‑June inventory was down 6.4% year on year; however, given the increased practice of holding back pigs and intensified secondary fattening following the rebound in pork prices, overall market supply remains secure. For beef cattle and dairy cows, supply continues to grow due to inertia, so prices are likely to remain low in the short term, posing significant challenges to producers. Moving forward, we will step up our efforts and implement decisive measures to address these difficulties.

To stabilize livestock production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will focus on five key areas in the next phase.

First, we will strengthen capacity regulation. At present, hog production capacity remains within a green and appropriate range. Going forward, we will closely monitor the target of maintaining 39 million breeding sows as the key regulatory “master switch,” while implementing complementary measures such as capacity management and policy support, to ensure that production capacity stays steadily within an appropriate band.

Second, we will strengthen early‑warning and guidance. By closely monitoring changes in key indicators such as the number of breeding sows, newborn piglets, and medium‑to‑large pigs, we will encourage farmers to market their pigs at appropriate times, ensuring that their profits are secured and preventing excessive holding back of animals or concentrated culling that could trigger sharp price spikes or plunges—particularly avoiding a substantial drop in pork prices during the post‑Spring Festival lull in demand next year. For beef and dairy cattle, we will guide producers to optimize and adjust herd compositions, phasing out older and low‑producing animals as needed, so that production growth better aligns with market demand.

Third, we will effectively implement measures to alleviate difficulties and provide relief. We will guide major dairy‑producing provinces in fully implementing relief policies such as subsidies for increased procurement of raw milk and subsidies for powdered‑milk production, while promoting cost‑saving, efficiency‑enhancing farming practices. We will organize and carry out county‑wide initiatives to expand and improve the quality of breeding cows, convert grain‑based feed to forage, and boost dairy production capacity. In addition, we will encourage local authorities to strengthen credit and insurance support for dairy farms, thereby preventing the excessive culling of productive dairy cows.

Fourth, we will prevent and control major animal diseases. We will implement and refine routine prevention and control measures, continue to strengthen the prevention and control of major animal diseases such as African swine fever, highly pathogenic avian influenza, and foot-and-mouth disease, and carry out post-disaster disease prevention following floods and other disasters. We will also make early arrangements for autumn‑season prevention efforts, firmly safeguarding the bottom line of preventing large‑scale, regionally widespread animal disease outbreaks.

Fifth, elevate the industry’s overall level. Vigorously promote the modernization of animal husbandry through facility-based operations, organized management, and industrialization; extend the industrial chain to enhance product value-added. Advance integrated development of breeding and processing, and encourage enterprises to refine mechanisms for linking with and supporting farmers—such as through contract farming and the signing of purchase‑sale agreements—so that farm operators can reap greater benefits. Deeply implement initiatives to reduce and replace soybean meal, continuously advance the resource‑based utilization of livestock and poultry manure, and foster green development in the animal husbandry sector.

Question: The National Science and Technology Conference held last month laid out the latest plans for accelerating China’s drive toward high‑level scientific and technological self‑reliance and strength. Secretary Han also mentioned agricultural science and technology innovation in his remarks, so I would like to focus my question on this area. Could you please tell us what measures the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has taken to speed up agricultural science and technology innovation, and what are your plans for the next phase?

Zhang Xingwang: Thank you to this journalist for your attention to agricultural science and technology. As Secretary Han just outlined, we have formulated broad considerations and plans in this area. Over the past few years, we have come to a profound realization: whether it is grain production or the high-quality development of agriculture as a whole, the power of science and technology is indispensable—and that power continues to grow. To a large extent, the potential for further progress lies in technological innovation. In this new era and on this new journey, ensuring the stable and secure supply of food and other essential agricultural products for our more than 1.4 billion people remains our top priority. With arable land remaining limited, the fundamental path to maintaining and increasing yields lies in science and technology. As Secretary Han also noted, at the forefront of agricultural production and disaster prevention and mitigation, our scientific and technical personnel are actively providing services and guidance. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China’s agricultural science and technology has made remarkable strides. In 2023, the contribution of scientific and technological progress to agricultural growth reached 63.2 percent—roughly 10 percentage points higher than in 2012—an extraordinary achievement. This progress has been a key factor in the steady development of our food and agricultural sectors over recent years. However, compared with the advanced international standards, there still remain certain gaps in our overall level of scientific and technological capability. Globally, a new wave of agricultural technological revolution—characterized by biotechnology and information technology—is poised to bring about major breakthroughs, and countries are vying to seize the commanding heights. We must not afford to fall behind. At present, we are thoroughly studying and implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the National Science and Technology Conference, and, in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we are making every effort to advance high‑level self-reliance and self‑strengthening in agricultural science and technology.

One key priority is to enhance overall effectiveness by strengthening the system. At present, China’s agricultural research institutions still face challenges such as fragmented operations, low‑level duplication, and homogeneous competition. Earlier this year, our ministry established a Leading Group for Scientific and Technological Innovation and a Strategic Advisory Committee on Science and Technology Innovation to pool resources and advance the optimization of the agricultural science and technology innovation system. We are working to fully leverage the role of national laboratories, further clarify the positioning of agricultural research institutes at the central, provincial, and prefectural levels within the broader institutional framework, and define the respective roles of research institutions, agriculture‑related universities, and agri‑tech enterprises in the national agenda. Through policy guidance, institutional innovation, and performance assessment, we aim to align all innovation actors at every level, enabling them to complement one another’s strengths and work in concert. By harnessing the advantages of the new whole‑nation system, we seek to boost overall efficiency and address major scientific and technological bottlenecks that constrain agricultural development.

Second, we are emphasizing industry‑oriented innovation. We insist that research topics originate in the industrial sector and that research outcomes be applied in real‑world production settings. We adopt a demand‑driven approach—identifying needs from industry, conducting pilot studies in relevant scenarios, and evaluating results through user feedback—to ensure that the scientific and technological achievements truly deliver value. In this way, we aim to address the persistent disconnect between science and technology on the one hand and the economy on the other. In the first half of this year, together with 17 central government ministries and agencies, we jointly identified 401 critical technological needs and have drafted the 2024 Project Application Guidelines for the Key R&D Program, which will be publicly released shortly. These measures are designed to further enhance the precision and practical impact of our research efforts. In particular, we will focus on addressing pressing bottlenecks—such as developing high‑oil, high‑yield soybean varieties and advanced intelligent agricultural machinery—by pooling resources across all sectors. At the same time, throughout this process, we will leverage the strengths of institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the education system, and the agriculture and rural affairs system, bringing together the nation’s most capable expertise to concentrate on priority areas. Moreover, we will fully harness the pivotal role of leading agri‑tech enterprises in driving scientific and technological innovation.

Third, we will prioritize the “last mile” to drive practical application. We will work to seamlessly connect the entire value chain—from scientific research and experimental development to widespread adoption and application. We will reform and upgrade the agricultural technology extension system, leverage the leading role of national demonstration zones for high‑tech agricultural industries, and refine service models such as science and technology special envoys, science and technology courtyards, and expert stations. At the same time, we will support new types of agricultural business entities and technology‑service enterprises in delivering technological services, thereby accelerating the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces.

Another key priority is to energize and invigorate talent. We will refine the mechanisms for incentivizing and evaluating talent, select a group of agricultural research institutions, and launch pilot programs to reform the evaluation of scientific researchers. In the agricultural sector, we will vigorously promote the spirit of scientists and unleash the innovative vitality of agricultural researchers. We will leverage major agricultural science and technology projects—such as the Seed Industry Revitalization Initiative and efforts to master critical core technologies—as well as key innovation platforms to cultivate and attract strategic scientists, leading scientific and technological talents, and innovative teams. Particular emphasis will be placed on nurturing young scientific and technological talent, thereby continuously strengthening the ranks of agricultural science and technology professionals.

Thank you. A reporter from the Farmers’ Daily and China Agricultural Network: This year’s No. 1 Central Document calls for studying and applying the experience of the “Ten‑Million Project” to vigorously and effectively advance the all‑round revitalization of rural areas. Could you please tell us about the progress made on this front so far this year? And how are localities, in light of their specific circumstances, identifying the right entry points to ensure that farmers truly benefit? Thank you. Han Jun: I will address this question. As you all know, the theme of this year’s No. 1 Central Document is to study and apply the experience of the “Ten‑Million Project” and to promote the all‑round revitalization of rural areas in a robust and effective manner. The tasks related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers outlined in the document can be summarized as “Two Guarantees and Three Enhancements, Two Strengthenings.” The “Two Guarantees” refer to ensuring national food security and preventing large‑scale relapse into poverty. I have already provided some details on these two aspects when answering questions earlier. The “Three Enhancements” involve raising the level of rural industrial development, improving rural infrastructure and construction, and strengthening rural governance. The “Two Strengthenings” mean reinforcing the dual drivers of science and technology and reform, and intensifying measures to increase farmers’ incomes.

As everyone knows, the “Ten‑Million Project” was a major decision made by Comrade Xi Jinping shortly after he took office in Zhejiang. Over 118 days, he traveled to all 11 prefecture-level cities, conducting meticulous on‑the‑ground inspections village by village, and, on the basis of a thorough understanding of the province’s conditions and rural realities, formulated this landmark initiative. During my time working in the agricultural sector, I visited Zhejiang numerous times to study and draw on the experience of implementing the “Ten‑Million Project.” Over the past two decades, the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government have steadfastly followed the path charted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, with each successive leadership team building on the work of its predecessor, staying committed to the original blueprint, and forging a scientifically sound approach to improving rural living environments, comprehensively advancing rural revitalization, and building a beautiful China. In the meantime, the lessons learned from the “Ten‑Million Project” have gradually been replicated nationwide. Since the beginning of this year, local governments and relevant departments have earnestly implemented the directives set out in the Central No. 1 Document, adapting these principles to their own contexts and applying them effectively. They have strengthened organizational leadership, ensured adequate fiscal support, and provided robust financial backing, while launching a large number of pilot and demonstration projects. Key tasks for the all‑round revitalization of rural areas are being steadily advanced; achievements in poverty alleviation continue to be consolidated; and progress in rural industrial development, rural infrastructure, and rural governance is steadily improving. Overall, the situation in agriculture, rural areas, and farmers remains stable and continues to show positive momentum, with quality steadily rising within that stability.

Going forward, to deepen and solidify the application of the experience gained from the “Ten‑Million Project,” and to achieve even greater results in rural revitalization, it is essential to study the development philosophy, working methods, and implementation mechanisms embedded within it—particularly by establishing sound, long‑term mechanisms for advancing all‑round rural revitalization. Learning from and applying the lessons of the “Ten‑Million Project” to build such enduring mechanisms is a clear mandate set forth at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Rural revitalization must be integrated throughout the entire process of building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation. So how can we put such a long‑term mechanism in place? Since joining the ministry, I have devoted considerable effort to thoroughly reflecting on and researching this issue. At present, we propose focusing on five key areas in our practical work.

We must concentrate our efforts on delivering a batch of concrete, tangible measures that farmers can truly feel and benefit from. With the goal of ensuring that rural areas are broadly equipped with modern living conditions, we should start by addressing the most pressing concerns of rural residents, making the improvement of the rural living environment a key priority. Tailoring approaches to local conditions, we will advance the management of rural waste and wastewater and promote the upgrading of rural sanitation facilities, thereby comprehensively enhancing the appearance and quality of villages. We must also accelerate efforts to close infrastructure gaps in rural roads, safe drinking water, and rural water supply—shortcomings that remain significant in many areas—and address longstanding deficits in some regions. At the same time, we need to further improve public service systems in education, elderly care, healthcare, and culture in rural areas.

We must focus on boosting industrial employment to help increase farmers’ incomes. The central task of “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” work is to drive income growth for rural residents and ensure their wallets get fuller. To this end, localities should tailor their approaches to local conditions, leverage the unique strengths of regional specialties, and steadily strengthen industries that enrich rural communities. In particular, we need to invest in developing new rural industries and business models—e‑commerce is one such emerging sector, with an increasing number of agricultural products now sold online. Rural homestays also represent a new industry and business format; during my time working in Anhui, the number of homestays there doubled last year. When you visit a homestay, you not only earn from renting out rooms but also from dining—often, the revenue from food can exceed that from lodging. And when you leave, if you find the flavors appealing, you’ll want to buy more, creating a virtuous cycle of sales that amplifies the overall economic benefits of agriculture. Therefore, expanding employment opportunities within rural areas and raising farmers’ incomes hold tremendous potential through new industries and business models. We encourage enterprises to venture into rural areas to develop agricultural processing and tourism, but it is essential to link up with and support farmers, helping them share in the fruits of development rather than marginalizing or displacing them—such practices are unacceptable. In short, we must continually broaden rural employment channels and income‑generating pathways, ensuring that farmers’ incomes grow steadily and sustainably, and taking solid steps forward on the road to common prosperity.

It is essential to identify effective mechanisms and platforms to advance rural governance in a pragmatic manner. We must continue to strengthen the building of grassroots Party organizations in rural areas and further refine a rural governance system that integrates self-governance, moral governance, and rule of law under the leadership of Party organizations. In recent years, we have promoted several practical and effective approaches to rural governance—for example, the points‑based system. Today, many rural communities across the country have adopted this model: households with tidy courtyards earn points; those who actively participate in community public welfare receive points; and harmonious relationships between in-laws also earn points. These points can be redeemed for daily necessities, and in some cases, points may even be deducted. As farmers put it, “accumulating points is accumulating virtue”—a clear illustration of a pragmatic and effective approach to rural governance. Moreover, we should harness the positive role of village covenants and customary rules in promoting public order and sound social norms, steadily advance efforts to change outdated customs, and focus on addressing pressing issues raised by the public, such as exorbitant bride prices and extravagant funerals coupled with inadequate care for the living.

We must cultivate a civilized rural ethos by addressing both the surface and the underlying causes. Rural revitalization requires not only shaping the physical environment but also forging a strong cultural identity; it calls for enriching both material well-being and spiritual vitality—balancing material and spiritual progress. We should carefully plan and implement a series of initiatives to rejuvenate rural culture, successfully host the Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival, strengthen the protection and inheritance of outstanding agricultural heritage, and support farmers in spontaneously organizing community‑based cultural and sporting activities, thereby continuously boosting their morale and spirit.

We must use scientific planning to guide the development of livable, workable, and aesthetically pleasing rural areas. Prioritizing planning before construction is a key lesson from Zhejiang’s “Ten‑Million Project.” In this regard, we must proceed from reality, advance village‑level planning in a categorized and orderly manner, and—above all—ensure that such plans are both high‑quality and effective. It is not necessary to draft a plan for every village; instead, we should remain grounded in local conditions, adopt pragmatic approaches that deliver tangible results, and leverage sound planning to shape the distinctive character and charm of beautiful countryside. Cities make life better, while rural areas inspire greater aspiration. Through scientific planning, we can bring out the unique beauty and distinctiveness of our villages.

Question: In recent years, as resource and environmental constraints have tightened, we have observed a shift in agricultural production toward green development. Could you please explain the current state of green agricultural development and outline the next steps for further advancing this agenda?

Zhang Xingwang: Thank you for your question. During this season, a visit to the countryside reveals the power and allure of green development. Green development is the foundation of high-quality growth and the very essence of agriculture. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, the institutional mechanisms for green agricultural development have been steadily improved. As you may have noticed, we have formulated the country’s first dedicated plan for green agricultural development, accelerated the transformation of agricultural practices toward sustainability, fostered environmentally friendly lifestyles, and achieved tangible progress—progress that is evident to all. First, soil quality continues to improve: the national average arable land grade has reached 4.76, up 0.35 grades from a decade ago—equivalent to an increase in grain yield of 35 kilograms per mu. Second, water use in agriculture has become more efficient: the effective utilization coefficient for irrigation now stands at 0.57, 0.05 higher than ten years ago, with annual water savings exceeding 48 billion cubic meters. Third, fertilizer, pesticide, and agricultural waste management has been significantly enhanced: the utilization rates of chemical fertilizers and pesticides both exceed 41%, the comprehensive utilization rate of livestock and poultry manure has reached 78%, straw utilization surpasses 88%, and the recycling rate of agricultural plastic film has remained above 80% in recent years. We are still working hard, and it is fair to say that what was once an ecological burden is now turning into green wealth. Fourth, the supply of high‑quality agricultural products has expanded: the total number of green, organic, specialty, premium, and geographically indicated agricultural products has reached 78,000, while routine monitoring of agricultural product safety consistently maintains a pass rate above 97%. Fifth, resource losses have been reduced: a green logistics system for agricultural products is gradually taking shape. In particular, cold‑storage and fresh‑preservation facilities in major production areas have grown substantially in recent years, leading to a marked decline in post‑harvest losses for perishable items such as vegetables and fruits. Even when purchasing last year’s apples during peak season, their quality remains good, and their taste is virtually indistinguishable from that of this year’s in‑season harvest. These developments reflect, in concrete terms, the achievements of our green development—and we can feel them in our daily lives.

Going forward, we will thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, firmly uphold and put into practice the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and continue to promote quality‑driven and green‑oriented agricultural development. We will further enhance the ecological foundation of high‑quality agricultural growth, with a particular focus on advancing the “Four Modernizations”:

Resource utilization must be intensive. The focus should be on land and water. We need to strengthen the protection and quality improvement of arable land, integrate land use with soil conservation, effectively address the degradation of cultivated soils, and promote water-saving practices in agronomy, crop varieties, infrastructure, and management, thereby enhancing the efficiency of agricultural water use.

Reducing input use—particularly chemical fertilizers and pesticides—is a key priority. In some areas, excessive application of fertilizers and pesticides remains a persistent issue. To address this, we must implement science-based fertilization practices to enhance efficiency, promote integrated pest management and unified pest control, and achieve both reduced inputs and increased yields. For example, adopting unified pest‑control programs and employing drone‑based aerial spraying can significantly accelerate the green transformation of agricultural production systems.

Waste must be turned into resources, with a particular focus on crop straw, livestock and poultry manure, and plastic mulch film. Tailoring approaches to local conditions, we should develop green farming and aquaculture models such as pig–biogas–fruit and rice–fish systems, explore incentive mechanisms for the use of manure‑derived fertilizers, and promote low‑cost, on‑site or nearby utilization. Prioritizing fertilizer, feed, and energy applications, we will systematically advance the scientific return of straw to the field and its efficient removal from farmland, while promoting the responsible use, collection, and proper disposal of plastic mulch film, thereby achieving a win‑win outcome for both economic and ecological sustainability.

The industrial chain must be decarbonized. The priority is to develop eco‑circular agriculture. Leveraging major initiatives such as the national modern agricultural industrial parks, clusters of advantageous and distinctive industries, and strong agricultural towns that we are advancing, we will lead and drive green, low‑carbon development across the entire value chain.

Q: This year marks the fourth year of the transition period following the victory in the battle against poverty. Could you please tell us how well the achievements of this campaign have been consolidated? What are the plans for the next phase?

Han Jun: Thank you for your question; let me address it. Following the successful battle against poverty, how to consolidate and build on our achievements has been a matter of constant concern and high priority for General Secretary Xi Jinping. He has emphasized the need to prevent large-scale relapse into poverty, strengthen monitoring systems to identify at-risk households, implement targeted support measures, boost endogenous development momentum, and sustainably consolidate and expand the gains made in poverty alleviation. Consolidating and expanding these achievements is both the foundation and prerequisite for rural revitalization, as well as its bottom-line task—work that will run throughout the entire process of rural revitalization. After winning the battle against poverty, the CPC Central Committee set a five-year transition period to ensure the sustainability of these gains. This year marks the fourth year, with next year being the fifth. Over the past three-plus years, we have maintained overall stability in terms of responsibility, policy support, regional coordination, and institutional frameworks, while coordinating efforts across all fronts to firmly safeguard the bottom line of preventing large-scale relapse into poverty. Today, the total number of impoverished people employed through wage labor has remained above 30 million for three consecutive years. For those who have emerged from poverty, employment remains their primary source of income—whether working locally or migrating elsewhere—and ensuring stable employment is crucial; and that stability has been secured. In 2021, the per capita disposable income of farmers in formerly impoverished counties stood at 14,051 yuan, rising to 16,396 yuan by 2023—a growth rate that has consistently outpaced the national average for rural incomes. In the first half of this year, the number of formerly impoverished people engaged in wage employment reached 32.74 million, and the per capita disposable income of farmers in formerly impoverished counties continued to grow at a robust pace. Visiting areas that have shaken off poverty over the past few years—including during the transition period—we see significant improvements in infrastructure and profound transformations in village landscapes. Take Jinzhai County in Anhui Province: it is hard to imagine how impoverished it once was; today, local residents enjoy a much better standard of living.

This year is a pivotal one for effectively linking the consolidation and expansion of poverty‑alleviation achievements with rural revitalization. As I mentioned earlier, the five‑year transition period will expire next year, and there is widespread concern about what will follow. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made this very clear: we must improve the institutional mechanisms for routinely preventing relapse into poverty and falling into poverty among rural populations, and establish a tiered, category‑specific assistance system targeting low‑income rural residents and underdeveloped regions. At present, we are still studying how to ensure a smooth transition when the five‑year transition period ends. One thing is crystal clear: the safety‑net and development‑oriented support for underdeveloped areas and low‑income groups must be sustained over the long term—without the slightest weakening—and even strengthened further. We must firmly hold the bottom line of preventing large‑scale relapse into poverty, and this commitment must be upheld permanently. To safeguard this bottom line, we cannot scale back or phase out the safety‑net and development‑oriented assistance for low‑income populations and underdeveloped regions; on the contrary, these policies must be expanded, and our efforts must continue to intensify.
Going forward, we will devise more measures to strengthen the endogenous development momentum of poverty‑alleviated areas and populations, ensuring that our achievements are more firmly consolidated and sustainably effective. We will refine and make full use of the monitoring and assistance mechanism for preventing relapse into poverty, with a particular focus on managing both ends—“entry” and “exit.” “Entry” means accelerating the establishment of a monitoring system covering the rural population to prevent relapse into or falling into poverty, further enhancing the efficiency of identification and early detection; here, big data can be leveraged more effectively to reduce the burden on grassroots-level authorities. “Exit” entails precisely implementing targeted support measures to address the risks of relapse or new onset of poverty among those under monitoring. Some of these measures are safety‑net in nature: for those without the capacity to work, we must ensure their basic needs are met; for those who are able to work, we will provide development‑oriented assistance to help them secure employment, start businesses, expand production, and increase their incomes. In short, we aim to achieve early detection and timely intervention, thereby eliminating the risks of relapse or new poverty. As of the end of June this year, nationwide, 60.4% of monitored individuals have had their risks stably eliminated, while the remaining cases have all been provided with appropriate support measures. Additionally, the 480,000 people newly identified this year have also received tailored assistance. Moving forward, we will promptly advance research into a regularized mechanism for preventing relapse into or falling into poverty that covers the entire rural population, and establish a tiered, category‑specific assistance system for low‑income rural residents and underdeveloped regions.

We will continue to intensify efforts to strengthen industrial and employment support. On the industrial front, we will maintain the share of central government fiscal funds allocated to supporting industrial development at no less than 60 percent, promote quality improvement and efficiency gains in supported industries based on the specific conditions of formerly impoverished areas, and further refine mechanisms for linking and empowering farmers. In terms of employment, labor income currently accounts for 68.7 percent of the income of those who have been lifted out of poverty; to this end, we will make full use of labor cooperation, assisted workshops, public‑service jobs, and other channels, spare no effort to expand employment opportunities for the working-age population formerly living in poverty, and ensure that the number of people employed in non‑agricultural sectors remains stable at over 30 million.

We will ensure the effective linkage between consolidating and expanding poverty‑alleviation achievements and rural revitalization. Focusing on key areas such as the 160 nationally designated counties receiving priority support for rural revitalization and the 35,000 relocation sites for poverty‑alleviation resettlement, we will deepen east–west collaboration and targeted assistance from central government units, vigorously advance the “Ten Thousand Enterprises Revitalize Ten Thousand Villages” initiative, and implement a series of projects to address shortcomings and spur development. In this way, poverty‑eradicated regions and people will keep pace with and catch up in the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas and the modernization process, sharing equitably in the fruits of rural revitalization and modernization.

Source: WeChat Official Account: NOVOSEED