Yanqing a hub for tuber R

Beijing's Yanqing county, the biggest potato producing county in China, is also the site of the nation's leading research center on the crop.

The International Potato Center for Asia-Pacific in Yanqing, which was recently launched, cements the county's status as a research and development hub for the tuber in the Asia-Pacific region.

Working with agricultural institutes and universities in Beijing, Yanqing boasts the nation's strongest resources for potato research and development.

Yanqing, which produces 10 percent of China's potatoes, links Beijing with the nation's other potato production regions, such as Hebei and Gansu provinces as well as the Inner Mongolia and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions, through three major highways, two more of which are currently being built for the 2019 World Horticultural Exposition to be held in Yanqing.

The county's advantage in potato research stems from its close proximity to Beijing's transport hubs. It is a 50-minute drive from Beijing Capital International Airport, allowing the county to have close contact with academics and logistics centers.

Yanqing is also dedicated to protecting its natural environment. In 2008, it was awarded the honorary title of a national eco-friendly county and is among the first ecological civilization model regions in China.

It has a 56.6 percent forest coverage rate, markedly higher than the 20 percent national average. Its air quality is the best among all districts and counties in Beijing.

liyang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/28/2015 page7)