Thousands pay last respects to 'father of hybrid rice'

Zhao also noted that China has created a miracle of food self-sufficiency, and has the will and ability to continue to make greater contributions to the governance of global food security.

"We believe that with the joint efforts of all sides, the dream of academician Yuan will become a reality, and hunger and poverty will eventually disappear on the earth," he said.

In the mortuary house a black banner with white characters said, "mourning for comrade Yuan Longping". Right under the banner was a photo of Yuan.

The body of the scientist was circled by flowers and cypress branches, and was covered by a national flag.

Hunan provincial leaders, Yuan's colleagues and friends attended the memorial service. They bowed to the body and shook hands with Yuan's family to express condolences on their loss.

Outside the mortuary, the influx of mourners caused a traffic gridlock miles long, prompting many to descend from vehicles to walk to the service hall. Some mourners arrived by train from other cities to "see Grandpa Yuan for the last time".

Deng Xianbing, a resident of Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province, took a high-speed train from his hometown and arrived at the mortuary on Monday at noon with his wife and two-year-old son.