Quotable

"Food production is the basis of the national economy and arable land is the basis of food production. China's 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) arable land is the red line for the country's food security."

Xu Shaoshi, Minister of land and resources said on Monday, the date of China's 22nd National Land Day. Xu said arable farmland in China decreases every year as more land is taken for development.