Political Lens

Premier calls for boosting support for grain output

China's policy support for grain production will only be strengthened, not weakened, Premier Li Qiang said during a fact-finding trip to Henan province on Wednesday and Thursday.

The premier visited farmland, a crop breeding base, food enterprises and research institutions during the trip, highlighting the need to ensure a bumper summer harvest across the nation, underpinned by technological support and the development of relevant industries.

Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called for sound efforts in the purchase and storage of summer grain, which accounts for more than 20 percent of China's total grain production. He said the role of the minimum purchase price mechanism must be leveraged to ensure that farmers earn a decent income from grain cultivation.

Additional efforts must be made to transform more eligible farmland into high-standard agricultural land, he said.

The premier also emphasized the advancement of innovative platforms in the seed industry, highlighting the need to strengthen cutting-edge research on key varieties and accelerate the pace of industrialization to cultivate more superior seeds.

More incentives must be rolled out to support researchers in the agricultural sector, and more young people should be encouraged to commit themselves to agricultural studies, he added.

Vice-president holds talks with BIS executive

Vice-President Han Zheng met on Thursday with Agustin Carstens, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements, in Beijing.

Han noted during their meeting that the BIS is an important platform for China to participate in international monetary and financial policy coordination.

China is ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the BIS, get deeply involved in global economic and financial governance, and make a greater contribution to jointly coping with global economic challenges and maintaining global financial stability, the vice-president said.

Carstens spoke highly of the development achievements of China's economy and its financial market. He expressed optimism about the potential and opportunities of the country's economic development.

He said that the BIS supports the internationalization of the Chinese currency, and is willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese financial industry to play a positive role in maintaining global economic and financial stability.

China Daily - Xinhua