Han Jun, Party Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has recently 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 the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; and Wang Lejun, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer of the Ministry, attended to present an overview and answer questions from the press.

Notably, 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 following relevant points were presented at this press conference:

• There is widespread attention on this year’s grain production outlook. This summer’s grain harvest was once again bountiful, with an increase of 7.25 billion jin, bringing total output to 299.56 billion jin—another record high. In particular, over the past few years we have made concerted efforts to boost soybean production, raising the self-sufficiency rate for 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 largely achieved 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 for the strategic high ground, 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 for attending today’s press conference, and thank you to all our friends—both old and new—for your steadfast support of agricultural and rural development over the years. 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, let me brief you on the progress of high-quality development in the “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” 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 earnestly 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 and improving momentum while enhancing quality, taken solid steps toward building a strong agricultural country, and secured new progress 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, edible oils, 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 Chinese 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 safety, 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, ensuring that no large‑scale relapse has occurred.

We have made every effort to improve agricultural science and technology infrastructure, steadily raising the level of agricultural modernization. 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. Over 1 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, raising the coverage of sanitary toilets to around 75 percent; all eligible townships and administrative villages now have access to paved roads; tap water coverage in rural areas has reached 90 percent; and more than 90 percent of administrative villages are covered by 5G networks. Meanwhile, the quality of basic public services—such as education, healthcare, and elderly care—continues to improve, while farmers engage in a rich array of self‑organized cultural activities. As a result, rural residents enjoy a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security as they contribute to and benefit from 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 of separating 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 that farmers’ interests are not harmed. Moderate‑scale land management has advanced in an orderly manner, and pilot programs to extend the second round of land contracts by another 30 years after their expiration 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. At the same time, 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 ratio 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, reflecting real growth of 6.6%, outpacing urban residents’ income growth by 2.1 percentage points.

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 modernization. I personally attended the entire session. Agricultural and rural reform occupies a prominent place in the Session’s Decision, which dedicates an entire chapter to systematically outlining mechanisms for promoting integrated urban–rural development, clearly defining priority tasks for rural reform, and providing crucial guidance and a solid foundation 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 earnestly carry out key tasks in agricultural and rural reform, and inject momentum and vitality into the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas. In particular, 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 its 46th year. Over these four decades, the most significant achievement of rural reform has been 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 that “China’s rural reform began with properly managing the relationship between farmers and land,” and that “the paramount policy is to uphold and improve the basic rural operating system.” As we often say, the basic rural operating system serves as the cornerstone of the Party’s rural policies. From a policy perspective, 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 the stability of 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 thirty years after their initial terms expire, deepen the reform of 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 stable for a total of 75 years—thus embodying 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 overarching policy of consolidating and improving the basic rural operating system—the single most important policy for rural areas. This year, we have launched province-wide pilot projects to extend land contracts for a second time in three provinces—Anhui, Hunan, and Guangxi, all of which I have previously worked in. Meanwhile, other provinces are organizing county- and township-level pilots. The overarching policy tone is clear: adhere to overall continuity, ensuring that the vast majority of households retain stable access to their existing contracted land—a principle 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 fields, 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, “so why wouldn’t I do it?” Even at 74, she can successfully manage her land within today’s modern, socially organized service framework. Thus, the path toward agricultural modernization is multifaceted, and smallholders can indeed be integrated into the broader trajectory of modern agricultural development. Here, I would like to underscore one crucial point: 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 have also explicitly prohibited 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 short, coercion and top-down mandates have no place in this regard. This constitutes our first priority area.

Second, we will uphold the principle of giving priority to agricultural and rural development. The Decision dedicates a specific section to improving systems that support agriculture, benefit farmers, and enrich rural areas, outlining concrete 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 agricultural and rural development is a key policy 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 CPC Central Committee. To translate the “four priorities” into concrete reform measures, much work remains to be done. We will promptly refine and operationalize these principles, and in areas such as cadre deployment, factor allocation, financial investment, and public service provision, we will advance more robust initiatives 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; 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 with respect to 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 in 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; however, 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 individuals who are not 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 purposes 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.

Question: 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 this 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 stepped up efforts, achieving significant advances. By the end of last year, the cumulative area of such farmland nationwide had exceeded 1 billion mu, with more than 10 million kilometers of on‑field irrigation and drainage channels and over 27 million small-scale water‑conservation 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, providing robust guarantees for further elevating construction quality.

As the data just presented make clear, high-standard farmland construction 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 managing 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 the expected results. 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 various 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 conservancy infrastructure. Local authorities will be tasked with carrying out comprehensive surveys and implementing targeted corrective measures based on categorization. This year, we will also institute nationwide, regular random quality inspections; any problems identified will be firmly addressed by local governments, with strict accountability pursued in accordance with laws and regulations. Cases suspected of illegal or criminal activity will be resolutely 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 relevant systems, encouraging localities to integrate the planning of management entities, management mechanisms, and supporting measures into the early stages of high‑standard farmland construction projects. This will ensure that responsibilities and standards for management and maintenance are clearly defined, effectively implementing post‑construction measures and preventing gaps or failures in oversight. By addressing the tendency in some areas to prioritize construction over management, we will ensure that these projects are 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 bountiful 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 ensure a bumper 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 more than 1.4 billion people, we must keep our rice bowls firmly in our own hands and allow no room for even the slightest lapse 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 very clear role in stabilizing prices and bolstering public expectations. The bumper harvest of this year’s summer grain 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 wheat cultivation reached 346 million mu, an additional 475,000 mu on top of last year’s already high level—no small feat. The second key factor behind this year’s bountiful summer grain harvest is the rise in per‑acre yield. Today, boosting agricultural output hinges largely on improving yields per unit area. To achieve higher yields, we need superior seed varieties; but superior seeds alone are not enough. They must be combined with high‑quality farmland, advanced machinery, and sound farming practices, along with 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 improvements in yield per acre. This year, the average yield of summer wheat increased by 10 kilograms per mu, a 2.6% rise—the largest annual gain in per‑acre yield over the past five years. Our calculations show that yield improvement 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 and land preparation, post‑sowing compaction, and simultaneous application of water and fertilizer—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—a truly impressive sight. By coordinating yield increases with loss reduction, we have achieved these remarkable results. Having worked at the provincial level myself, I can attest to this: leading officials at the provincial level must keep food security firmly in their grasp, paying close attention to these technical measures. When such measures are properly implemented, they deliver tangible results.

Summer grain production got off to a strong start, which is encouraging news. However, the bulk of China’s grain output comes from the autumn harvest, which accounts for three-quarters of the country’s total grain production. 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 dry and wet conditions. 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 flooding; similarly, Henan has recently seen abrupt transitions from drought to waterlogging, with conditions changing within just a day or two. Such extremes have become increasingly common. Our monitoring indicates that the nationwide area of crops affected by disasters 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 agricultural situation assessments, the acreage planted with autumn crops remains broadly stable and even shows modest growth compared with last year, and crop development is generally normal. As media colleagues 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 disaster impacts; staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs promptly deployed to the affected areas to provide on-the-ground support, vigorously assisting Henan and other regions in their efforts to mitigate damage and secure a good harvest.

As everyone knows, we are now in the critical period of flood prevention and drought relief—often referred to as “late July to early August”—which also marks a pivotal phase for determining the yield of autumn grain crops. We must 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 have become blocked, preventing runoff, so we are now working to clear and restore several key channels to ensure unobstructed flow and timely drainage—because corn cannot survive more than three days submerged. For drought‑stricken plots, we are exhausting every possible measure to secure water sources and provide timely irrigation. And for fields where harvests have been lost, we are encouraging farmers to adapt by switching to alternative crops or replanting, using short‑maturing varieties where appropriate; if grain production is no longer viable, vegetable crops can be planted instead. In short, we must prevent any land from lying 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 colleagues at all levels of the agriculture and rural affairs departments are also being deployed to the field—going into villages, visiting households, stationing in specific areas, and providing precise, meticulous guidance and support—so that we can strive to secure a bumper harvest of autumn grains and a successful year‑round agricultural output.

Q: While hog farming has now turned profitable, dairy and beef cattle operations remain in the red. 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 the combined effects of market forces and capacity‑adjustment policies, 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 operations into loss‑making territory.

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. Going 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 “master switch” for regulation, 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 milk powder 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, organizational restructuring, 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 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 role of science and technology is indispensable—and its influence 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 limited, the fundamental path to maintaining and increasing yields lies in science and technology. As Secretary Han also mentioned, 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%, an increase of roughly 10 percentage points compared with 2012—truly an impressive achievement. This progress has been a key factor in the steady development of our food and agricultural sectors over recent years. However, when measured against the advanced international standards, there 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 deliver 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 efforts, 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 Scientific and Technological Innovation to pool resources and advance the optimization of the agricultural science and technology innovation system. We are working to ensure that national laboratories play their intended roles, while clearly defining the respective positions of agricultural research institutes at the central, provincial, and prefectural levels within the broader institutional framework. Furthermore, we are clarifying the roles that research institutions, agriculture‑related universities, and agri‑tech enterprises should assume in the national strategy. Through policy guidance, institutional innovation, and performance assessment, we aim to align all innovation actors at every level, enabling them to leverage their strengths, complement one another, 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 effectiveness of our research efforts. In particular, we will focus on addressing pressing bottlenecks in key areas such as high‑oil, high‑yield soybean varieties and advanced intelligent agricultural machinery, mobilizing resources across all sectors to tackle these challenges. At the same time, throughout this process, we will place great emphasis on leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders—including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the education system, and the agriculture and rural affairs system—pooling the nation’s most capable expertise to concentrate on priority frontiers. Moreover, we will fully harness the pivotal role of leading agri‑tech enterprises in driving research and 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, refine service models such as science and technology special envoys, science and technology courtyards, and expert stations, and support new types of agricultural business entities and technology service firms in delivering technological services, thereby accelerating the transformation of scientific and technological advances into real productive forces.

In addition, we will prioritize talent development by energizing and invigorating the workforce. 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: Let me address this question. As everyone knows, the theme of this year’s No. 1 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 strong and effective manner. The tasks related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers outlined in the document can be summarized as “Two Guarantees, Three Enhancements, and 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 up his post in Zhejiang. Over the course of 118 days, he traveled to all 11 prefecture-level cities, conducting meticulous on‑the‑ground inspections village by village and gaining a thorough understanding of the province’s conditions and rural realities. 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 ahead. In doing so, they have pioneered a scientifically sound approach to improving the rural living environment, comprehensively advancing rural revitalization, and building a beautiful China. Meanwhile, 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 in practice. 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; the achievements of poverty alleviation continue to be consolidated; and the development of rural industries, rural infrastructure, and rural governance are all making steady progress. Overall, the situation in agriculture, rural areas, and farmers remains stable and improving, with quality steadily rising amid 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 national strength building and national rejuvenation. So how can we put such a long‑term mechanism in place? Since joining the ministry, I have devoted considerable effort to in‑depth reflection and research on 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 urgent needs, difficulties, and concerns of rural residents, making the improvement of the rural living environment a key priority. We will advance, tailored to local conditions, the management of rural waste and wastewater and 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, with substantial backlogs in many areas—and further improve public service systems in education, elderly care, healthcare, and culture.

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. Visit one: renting out a room may bring in some income, but dining there can be even more lucrative—often yielding more from food sales than from lodging. And when guests leave, they’re likely 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, whether to process agricultural products or develop tourism—but they must do so in ways that engage and benefit local farmers, rather than displacing them. Such practices run counter to our goals. In short, we must continually broaden rural employment channels and diversify avenues for income growth, ensuring that farmers’ incomes continue to rise steadily and sustainably, and taking solid steps toward the goal of 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 improve the 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 nationwide 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, persistently work to change outdated customs, and focus on addressing pressing issues raised by the public, such as exorbitant bride prices and lavish 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 forth 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. You may have noticed that we have, during this period, formulated the first-ever specialized plan for green agricultural development, accelerated the transformation of agricultural practices toward sustainability, fostered environmentally friendly lifestyles, and achieved tangible progress—progress that we can all feel. First, the quality of arable land continues to improve: the national average grade of cultivated land 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 water now stands at 0.57, 0.05 higher than ten years ago, with annual water savings exceeding 48 billion cubic meters. Third, the utilization of fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural waste has expanded significantly: 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; indeed, what was once an ecological burden is now turning into green wealth. Fourth, there is a growing supply of high‑quality agricultural products: 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 markedly reduced: a green circulation system for agricultural products is gradually taking shape. In particular, cold‑storage and fresh‑preservation facilities in many major production areas have expanded substantially in recent years, leading to a significant decline in post‑harvest losses for perishable items such as vegetables and fruits during storage, transportation, and distribution. Even when purchasing last year’s apples in season, their quality remains good, and their taste is virtually indistinguishable from that of this year’s peak‑season harvest. This, in turn, reflects the fruits of our green development—results that we can clearly perceive 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 lies on land and water. We will 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 have a significant impact on 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 fields and its efficient removal from farmland, while promoting the responsible use, collection, and proper disposal of plastic mulch film, thereby achieving both economic and ecological benefits.

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 this goal has been achieved. 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 their per capita disposable income continued to grow at a robust pace. Visiting formerly impoverished areas today, one can see that, over the years—including during the transition period—infrastructure has improved dramatically, and the appearance of villages has undergone profound transformation. Take Jinzhai County in Anhui Province: it is hard to imagine how impoverished it once was; now, 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 for 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 measures for underdeveloped areas and low‑income populations 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 groups 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 fully leverage the monitoring and assistance mechanisms designed to prevent relapse into poverty, with a particular focus on managing both ends of the process—“entry” and “exit.” “Entry” means accelerating the establishment of a monitoring system covering the rural population to identify and address risks of falling back into or into poverty, further enhancing the efficiency of identification and early detection. In this regard, we can make better use of big data to reduce the administrative burden at the grassroots level. “Exit” entails implementing targeted support measures tailored to the specific risks faced by those under monitoring. Some of these measures are safety‑net provisions: for those without the capacity to work, we must ensure they have a basic social safety net; 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 to eliminate the risk of relapse into or entry into 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 assistance. Additionally, the 480,000 people newly identified this year have also received targeted support. Moving forward, we will promptly advance research into a regularized mechanism for preventing relapse into or entry 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 both 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 actual 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 channels such as labor cooperation, assisted workshops, and public‑service jobs, spare no effort to expand employment opportunities for the working-age population formerly living in poverty, and ensure that the number of employed individuals 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 populations 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