The pesticide industry has thrived over the past seventy years, striving in the new era—A review of the development of China’s pesticide industry over the 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (continued).

　　3. Achieving a Historic Turning Point Through Reform and Opening-Up

　　In 1978, the reform and opening-up policy was launched. From November 10 to December 15, 1978, the CPC Central Committee held a working conference in Beijing. The meeting deliberated on the central leadership’s plan to shift the Party’s work focus, starting in 1979, to the cause of socialist modernization, as well as on issues such as agriculture, the national economic plan, and a summary of the State Council’s informal discussions. These deliberations greatly advanced China… Pesticide The development of industry. It was also in this year that closed and semi-closed… Pesticide The industry embarked on a new phase of exploration, accelerated reform and opening-up, and achieved a historic turning point. Due to the impact of the Cultural Revolution, the starting point at that time was extremely low; in 1978, China… Pesticide In terms of output and innovation capacity, the sector still falls far short of meeting the needs of agricultural development. In 1978, the Anhui Provincial Chemical Research Institute successfully developed a soluble powder formulation of trichlorfon, which overcame the original product’s drawbacks of slow solubility in water and inconvenient application. Regarding granular formulations, researchers successively developed manufacturing methods such as the kneading method, impregnation method, and coating method, and established production workshops or factories. The range of granular products now includes methamidophos, cartap hydrochloride, sodium pentachlorophenate, and bentazone, with annual production steadily increasing. As for suspension concentrates, they can enable… Pesticide The particles are in a colloidal suspension, which ensures good efficacy. Following successful research and pilot-scale development, these formulations were rapidly scaled up for production; carbendazim and atrazine suspensions, among others, have already reached a certain level of output.

　　In 1978, the Ministry of Chemical Industry convened a symposium in Zhangjiakou on the replacement of BHC and DDT. The meeting analyzed this type of… Pesticide Regarding the existing problems and the countermeasures that should be adopted, the majority of comrades at the meeting agreed that efforts should be strengthened to promote efficient, low-toxicity, and low-residue products. Pesticide The research and development of new crop varieties, along with the expansion of production, aimed to phase out hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and DDT as soon as possible. Also in 1978, efforts were made to accelerate the development of high‑efficacy, low‑residue products. Pesticide , from late July to early October, the Ministry of Chemical Industry organized chlor-alkali and Pesticide The technical inspection delegation for intermediate production visited countries including France, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden, examining pentaphosphorus dithioate (organic phosphorus). Pesticide intermediates), methyl isocyanate, and naphthol (an intermediate of carbaryl), as well as carbaryl; m‑cresol (an intermediate of fenitrothion); phenol; maleic anhydride (an intermediate of malathion); o‑tert‑butylphenol (an intermediate of basa); hydrogen cyanide; and cyanuric chloride (all intermediates for triazine herbicides); along with dichlorobenzene and chlorotoluene, among others. This investigation aims to identify organophosphorus and carbamate compounds that could serve as alternatives to hexachlorocyclohexane and DDT. Pesticide for the primary purpose. Due to technological monopolies held by major foreign companies and excessively high pricing, only one production technology and plant with an annual capacity of 12,000 tons of m‑cresol were introduced, constructed at the Xiangyang Chemical Plant of Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical Company. This reflected the Ministry of Chemical Industry’s efforts to replace such substances as BHC and DDT, among others. Pesticide Reflections on conceptual understanding and explorations in technological equipment. Subsequently, Li Xiannian, then Vice Premier, approved the Ministry of Chemical Industry’s proposal to introduce… Pesticide and the recommendations regarding intermediates, which were specially approved for hundreds of millions of dollars (it should be noted that at the time, our country’s foreign-exchange reserves were very limited).

　　In late February and early May 1979, the Ministry of Chemical Industry dispatched another high-level agricultural chemistry delegation to visit 36 companies in the United States, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The mission focused on pesticides and key intermediates, including furfuryl phenol, carbofuran, aldicarb, methomyl, as well as isocyanates, diazinon, methyl phosphite, pyridine, low‑carbon aliphatic amines, and various herbicides, fungicides, and their intermediate products. Many of the pesticides and intermediates examined during this trip were intended to replace highly persistent compounds such as BHC and DDT. Due to international pressure and domestic circumstances… Pesticide Industry is already well-prepared in terms of mindset and has a certain… Pesticide On the basis of variety production, at a State Council meeting chaired in 1983 by Comrade Wan Li, then Executive Vice Premier of the State Council, and following reports from relevant departments, a decisive decision was made to cease the production and use of BHC and DDT effective April 1, 1983, with only the Tianjin Chemical Plant and the Yangzhou plant permitted to continue. Pesticide The plant produced DDT—approved for use by the World Health Organization—for malaria‑vector control in Africa and other regions, as well as lindane (the high‑purity γ‑isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane) at the Shenyang Chemical Plant and the Tianjin Dagou Chemical Plant, with orders coming from countries such as France. Correspondingly, the inactive isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane remaining after purification of the γ‑isomer were retained for the production of hexachlorobenzene (a fungicide), trichlorobenzene (a solvent and intermediate), sodium pentachlorophenate (an agent for controlling snails that serve as hosts for schistosomes), and pentachlorophenol (used to preserve railway sleepers).

　　As is well known, China’s economic reforms began in the countryside. In 1983, the household contract responsibility system was fully implemented, significantly boosting farmers’ enthusiasm for agricultural production, and the ensuing development of agriculture spurred… Pesticide Consumption, and this contract‑responsibility system also began to extend into industry, entering… Pesticide field, greatly promoting Pesticide Development, in 1983, our country Pesticide Production reached 331,300 tons. From the 1980s to the early years of this century, China’s organophosphorus… Pesticide Development and production have entered a new phase, during which projects developed and brought online… Pesticide The product lineup includes: insecticides such as methyl isofenphos, diazinon, aphidicide, aldicarb, methomyl, propoxur, disulfoton, cypermethrin, cyhalothrin, lambda‑cyhalothrin, and triazolyltin; rodenticide sodium diphacinone; fungicides including rust‑control agents, methyl‑thiram, mancozeb, and fungicidal disinfectants; improved formulations of the herbicide paraquat; as well as chlorimuron‑ethyl, aminopyralid, and other products; and plant growth regulators such as ethephon, 784‑1, auxin enhancers, and triacontanol. In 1983, Jinggangmycin production reached 300 tons of active ingredient, sufficient to treat 160 million mu of rice fields, making it the highest‑producing agricultural antibiotic fungicide in China. The development of these new varieties marked another significant step forward in advancing the efficiency of China’s fungicide portfolio. During this period, chemical… Pesticide There has also been significant progress in the development of dosage forms and compound formulations. Pesticide The dosage forms include emulsifiable concentrates, granules, suspension concentrates, powders and wettable powders, aqueous solutions, fumigants, and others. Pesticide Formulation processing and compounding Pesticide Its development is driven by enterprises, especially small ones. Pesticide The importance attached by enterprises. By the end of 1983, the ratio of original drug substances to processed dosage forms in China had reached 1:3, doubling compared with three years earlier. Chemical… Pesticide It already offers products in eight major categories: insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, nematicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, rodenticides, and grain fumigants.

　　From 1984 to 1986, China’s annual pesticide production reached 180,000 tons, primarily including methyl parathion, parathion, methamidophos, malathion, phoxim, trichlorfon, dichlorvos, dimethoate, and omethoate, thereby rapidly addressing the issue of replacing hexachlorocyclohexane and DDT. In the first batch of “double-high” (high-pollution, high-environmental-risk) product catalog published by the Ministry of Environmental Protection on February 26, 2008, Pesticide The category encompasses 24 compounds, including trichlorfon, phorate, omethoate, isofenphos, methyl isofenphos, monocrotophos, carbofuran, aldicarb, methomyl, amitraz, dicofol, warfarin, and acephate. For some of these substances—such as acephate and carbofuran—since the beginning of the 21st century, heterocyclic compounds have… Pesticide and biology Pesticide It has achieved remarkable success, with key product lines including the Bt series of insecticides, the acaricide Liuyangmycin, ginkgo‑based fungicides, and plant‑enhancing insecticides such as matrine and veratrine. Other notable products comprise the insecticide avermectin and the highly effective, crop‑specific fungicide Trichoderma. In addition, plant‑based and bio‑based formulations have emerged. Pesticide With chemistry Pesticide Newly formulated Pesticide Such as the insecticide chlorpyrifos, the fungicide berberine, and others; fungicides. Cotton Antibiotics and plant growth regulators such as gibberellins. Heterocyclic compounds. Pesticide and biology Pesticide Almost accounts for our country’s Pesticide Two-thirds of the total output. Of course, there are many model enterprises in product innovation. For example, why has Zhejiang Xin’an Chemical Industry Group’s product quality earned international recognition? According to Zhou Shuguang, the group’s vice president and general manager of the Overseas Business Division, “The group has always placed great emphasis on technological innovation, pioneering a green production process for glyphosate and successfully developing multiple technologies—including closed-loop systems for chlorine and phosphorus—thereby achieving environmentally friendly manufacturing while enhancing product competitiveness.” Over the past 70 years, China… Pesticide The industrial sector has forged a distinctive path, progressing from imitation to a blend of imitation and innovation, and ultimately to independent innovation. This has enabled China… Pesticide The industry has reached a new level—efficient, safe, green, and cost-effective. Pesticide Leading China Pesticide The industry is thriving and flourishing, leading China. Pesticide Industry has entered a new era of development.

　　Reform and opening-up have promoted our country’s… Pesticide Internationalization. Take Zhejiang Xin’an Chemical Industry Group as an example: more than 20 years ago, the company already obtained self‑operated import and export rights. After weathering anti‑dumping litigation in European and American markets and navigating exchange‑rate risks in developing countries, it remained steadfast in its commitment to internationalization and expanded into global markets. Its glyphosate technical grade and formulations are now sold in over 100 countries across Southeast Asia, the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Eastern Europe, with total annual exports reaching 120,000 tons. Of course, this is only one aspect of China’s experience since the launch of reform and opening-up. Pesticide a microcosm of internationalization. At present, China has become the world’s largest Pesticide Producing and exporting countries: According to Chinese customs data, “As of the end of May 2018, our country…” Pesticide Export value reached US$3.246 billion, up 33.0% from US$2.440 billion in 2017. Pesticide Export volume totaled 570,400 tonnes, down 0.2% from 571,600 tonnes in 2017. Meanwhile, the value of active‑ingredient exports reached US$1.827 billion, a 33.5% increase compared with US$1.368 billion in 2017. Pesticide Export volume totaled 191,000 tonnes, down 5.8% from 204,600 tonnes in 2017; meanwhile, the value of finished‑product exports reached US$1.42 billion, up 32.4% from US$1.072 billion in 2017. Pesticide “Export volume reached 379,500 tonnes, up 2.8% from 369,000 tonnes in 2017.” According to available data, in 2018, China… Pesticide The export value totaled US$8.072 billion, and the export volume reached 1.4053 million tons. In one… Pesticide At the risk management seminar, “Belt and Road” countries have already spread across China. Pesticide The footprints left behind—each set of data in the reports submitted by representatives from ten countries—stands as the clearest evidence: “In Kyrgyzstan, 90% to 95% of…” Pesticide All of them are imported from China, with 35 companies exporting to our country. Pesticide , with over 1,000 types of export products.” “80% of Cambodia’s… Pesticide “Originating from China, the imported products cover insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides.” “Nigeria primarily imports from China.” Pesticide “Formulations—about 60,000 tons are imported annually.” “China is…” Pesticide A major producer and exporter, with roughly 60% of its output destined for export. Not only countries along the Belt and Road—China is also importing… Pesticide The largest number is in the Americas, China. Pesticide “The United States is the largest exporter, followed by Brazil,” said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Pesticide Yan Duanxiang, deputy director of the testing institute, stated that at present, in China, Pesticide Exports reach all five continents and more than 180 countries and regions, with the total export volume now accounting for China’s… Pesticide Approximately 60% of the total production. Pesticide Its exports have become China’s Pesticide An important and indispensable avenue for steady production growth. Among developed countries such as the United States, Australia, Japan, Russia, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, the United States is China’s largest… Pesticide The market. Meanwhile, major global grain-producing countries such as Brazil and Argentina, as well as most countries and regions in Southeast Asia, also import substantial quantities from China. Pesticide Products. Now, China Pesticide Accounting for more than half of global production, it has established itself on the world stage. Pesticide A thriving sector that has secured its place in the industry Pesticide Industry. Over the 70 years since the founding of New China, our country… Pesticide The industry’s rapid and ever‑changing development has powerfully demonstrated that New China is… Pesticide The cornerstone of industrial development.

　　4. Facilitating Phoenix-like Rebirth Amid Institutional Transformation

　　Over the 70 years since the founding of New China, our country… Pesticide The profound and dramatic transformations of the economy reflect the evolution of China’s institutional framework—moving from the feudal and semi-feudal system of old China to the initial establishment of the socialist system in New China; and from the Soviet‑style planned economy adopted at the founding of the People’s Republic to a socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics. Over the past seventy years, China has successfully accomplished these two momentous transitions. In particular, under the leadership of the Party, institutional innovations centered on market‑oriented reforms have directly propelled China’s… Pesticide The rapid development of industry in China after 1978 Pesticide Production has increased year by year, and in 1983… Pesticide Production exceeded 300,000 tons, reaching 394,500 tons in 1997 and 426,000 tons in 1999.

　　Entering the 21st century, Pesticide Rapid development. In 2000, China… Pesticide Production reached 647,700 tons in 2003 in China. Pesticide Production reached 863,000 tons in 2005 in China. Pesticide With a production exceeding one million tons, in 2007 China… Pesticide Production reached 1.736 million tons, and by 2008, China… Pesticide Production reached 1.902 million tons in 2009 in China. Pesticide Production exceeded 2 million tons, and by 2010 the national cumulative output had reached… Pesticide 2.342 million tons, up 20.4% year on year; cumulative industrial output value reached RMB 164.4 billion, an increase of 23.8% compared with the same period last year. China currently has obtained… Pesticide of production licensing and registration Pesticide There are more than 1,819 manufacturing enterprises, capable of producing over 600 types. Pesticide of the technical material Pesticide A major manufacturing country, in the world Pesticide It occupies a pivotal position in development. According to statistics, in 2010, China… Pesticide Cumulative product sales totaled RMB 51.82 billion, up 20.8% year on year. Among them, chemicals… Pesticide and biology Pesticide Cumulative sales amounted to RMB 45.63 billion and RMB 6.2 billion, representing year-on-year growth rates of 19.9% and 27.6%, respectively. Biological… Pesticide The share of sales revenue was approximately 12.0%, up by only 0.7 percentage points year on year. In 2011, China… Pesticide Production reached 2.649 million tons in 2012, China. Pesticide Production reached 3.549 million tons, a new record; in 2013 it stood at 3.190 million tons, and in 2014 China… Pesticide Achieving a production volume of 3.744 million tons, in 2015 China… Pesticide Production totaled 3.741 million tons in 2016 nationwide. Pesticide Production reached 3.778 million tons. It is evident that it took only four years for output to double from one million tons, and after 2011, China… Pesticide The industry has entered a new phase of development. Pesticide Production has expanded rapidly, as evidenced by high output, a large number of enterprises, and a substantial workforce. Since 2006, China has surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest. Pesticide Producing country. There is no longer any doubt about production volume: from 2001 to 2013, China… Pesticide Production increased from 696,000 tons to 3.19 million tons, a 3.58-fold rise. By 2017, China’s chemical industry… Pesticide The production of technical-grade active ingredients totaled 2.941 million tons in 2018. Pesticide Negative growth, with production at 2.083 million tons. National-level. Pesticide The construction of science and technology innovation platforms has yielded results, the National Southern… Pesticide Creation Center, National Pesticide Creation Engineering Technology Research Center, National Bio- Pesticide A number of national-level platforms, such as the Research Center for Innovative Engineering Technology, have taken the lead in their respective industries. China’s capacity for synthesizing new compounds has reached 30,000 per year, while its screening capability stands at 60,000 per year, and innovative products continue to emerge. These achievements demonstrate that without the 70 years since the founding of New China, there would be no present-day… Pesticide A promising new landscape for the industry.

　　Under the leadership of the Party, and after more than 70 years of development since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, our country… Pesticide The industry boasts a highly skilled workforce, and its total output has grown from a few thousand tons before the founding of the People’s Republic of China to over 2 million tons in 2018. Production continues to expand, product varieties are steadily increasing, and quality is constantly improving. With the vigorous development of China’s agriculture, Pesticide Consumption has also been steadily increasing. After 70 years of development, China has become the world’s… Pesticide A major manufacturing country, China currently has… Pesticide There are more than 2,200 manufacturing enterprises, including over 800 large-scale enterprises. According to China… Pesticide According to statistics from the industrial association, in 2017, China had enterprises with annual sales exceeding RMB 500 million. Pesticide There are 79 enterprises, with revenues exceeding RMB 1 billion. Pesticide There are 50 enterprises, including 10 with revenues exceeding RMB 3 billion. China already has… Pesticide There are 50 listed companies, capable of producing over 600 varieties. Pesticide Technical grade material, Pesticide Production now accounts for more than one-third of the global total, truly making it a world leader. Pesticide A major manufacturing country. Under the strong leadership of the Party, after 70 years of development, our country… Pesticide The industry has demonstrated distinct advantages, with a market‑oriented production and supply system largely in place, giving rise to an industrial structure dominated by the private sector. Its capacity for independent participation in international competition continues to strengthen, while the degree of organizational integration within the sector is steadily increasing. While maintaining the central role of domestic industries, it has also preserved a certain level of competitiveness on the global stage. At present, many in China… Pesticide The processes, facilities, and equipment adopted by enterprises have reached world‑class standards; a number of products with independent intellectual property rights have emerged, characterized by stringent quality control, high cost‑effectiveness, and strong market appeal among international customers. Over the past 70 years, China’s… Pesticide Management regulations, policies, technologies, and methodologies have all made significant progress and advancements. Since 1983, China has phased out highly toxic and high-risk substances. Pesticide The pace is steadily accelerating, and 43 highly toxic and high-risk substances have already been phased out. Pesticide , limited to 23 types Pesticide , promote China Pesticide Product upgrading and structural adjustment in the industry. Since 2015, China has launched the “Two Reductions” initiative; on June 1, 2017, the country’s new… Pesticide The Management Regulations have come into effect. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has concurrently introduced six sets of administrative rules and regulations, while also formulating relevant industrial policies and detailed requirements for registration and review documentation. Over the past 70 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China… Pesticide With courage and wisdom, our colleagues have continually amazed and inspired people by setting one record after another, transforming an obscure little industry into the vast Chinese sector it is today. Pesticide The lineup has created a developmental miracle—growing from small beginnings to great strength. It can be said that without the founding of New China, there would be no modern, powerful… Pesticide Industry—this is an irrefutable truth!

　　5. Striving in the New Era Through Summarization and Learning from Others

　　2019 marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and it was also Pesticide Seventy years of rapid industrial development. Seventy years of overcoming obstacles and forging ahead through thick and thin. Looking back over the past seventy years since the founding of New China, our country… Pesticide The tortuous path that the industry has traversed is like unveiling China. Pesticide On every page of these 70 years, the weight of historical development prevents us from fully mapping out the industry’s clear trajectory. Yet we are willing to stand at this crossroads of history, to explore, to remember, and to reflect. Pesticide Every light and shadow in the course of industrial development, for China as it enters a phase of adjustment. Pesticide It offers some insights and reflections. Over the past 70 years since the founding of New China, a glorious chapter has been written—one marked by the Chinese nation’s relentless self-improvement and tenacious striving—and a resounding anthem of New China has also been composed. Pesticide A hymn to development. Looking back Pesticide The 70-year evolution of industry has profoundly shown us that without the founding of New China, there would be no modern-day China we see today. Pesticide Industry! Over the past 70 years, under the correct leadership of the Party, in China… Pesticide Through the concerted efforts of the people, New China Pesticide Industrial development has achieved remarkable accomplishments that have captured worldwide attention; over the past 70 years, China… Pesticide The invaluable achievements and experiences of the industrial sector must be carefully summarized, drawn upon, and further developed and carried forward.

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, all… Pesticide The Chinese people have officially embarked on the great journey to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. We have entered a new era and begun a new journey to strive in this new era. However, Pesticide The industry also faces a host of challenges in the new era. Take the market, for instance: stringent requirements for green practices, ecological sustainability, and safety, Pesticide Negative growth, coupled with the continuous emergence of new agricultural business and service entities—such as specialized large-scale farmers, family farms, farmer cooperatives, leading enterprises, and agricultural management service organizations—has led to… Pesticide Production and business operations have given rise to new issues and challenges. According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, by the end of 2016, China had 877,000 family farms of various types, of which 445,000 were registered and managed by the agricultural authorities; 1.93 million farmer cooperatives; and 1.15 million socialized service organizations, including 225,000 that provide entrusted services for agricultural production; in addition, there were 130,000 leading enterprises across different sectors. How can we respond to the ongoing transformations brought about by these diverse new forms of agricultural management? Pesticide The challenges facing the market supply‑guarantee service system are unprecedented and unlike anything experienced in the preceding 70 years; there is no prior experience to draw upon. Moreover, Pesticide There is an urgent need to advance from traditional imitation toward a self-reliant, collaborative innovation system and the ecological transformation of industries; furthermore, “Internet Plus” remains a key priority. Pesticide and green Pesticide Develop and improve Pesticide Challenges such as utilization rates and precision medicine urgently need to be addressed in the course of striving in the new era. All of these must be tackled by drawing on the lessons learned from the past 70 years. Pesticide Only on the basis of our development achievements and accumulated experience can we boldly innovate, address the new challenges emerging in the course of striving in the new era, and attain fresh accomplishments. “Last night the Big Dipper turned north; this morning the new year rises in the east.” Looking back, we have remained true to our original aspirations, kept our mission firmly in mind, and forged ahead with determination; looking forward, we are filled with lofty ambitions, courageous and confident, and pressing forward through innovation. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, let us embrace a green development philosophy, adhere to the requirements of high-quality development, effectively respond to the profound changes in the external environment, rise to challenges, work diligently, and ensure the continued prosperity of our country. Pesticide Industry, with outstanding achievements, pays tribute to the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China!

　　Note: The data in this article are sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics, China Customs, and China. Pesticide Historical data publicly released by industry associations and other entities.

Source: Penglai Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Shandong Province Author: Han Yongqi Editor: xwbj3