Li Chenggui is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. [Photo/cppcc.gov.cn]

Li Chenggui, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), stressed the critical importance of ensuring food security that relies on China's own capacity.

Li said China has established a food security guarantee system at a very high level, characterized by quality, efficiency and sustainability since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012.

He said that among the achievements, China is now able to ensure a per capita supply of grain of 483 kg, above the international safety standard of 400 kg, and the grain consumption structure has also improved significantly.

Li, also president of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, said the national strategy for food security, which features "self-sufficiency based on domestic grain production, guaranteed food production capacity, moderate imports, and technological support," has proven to be the right choice that suits China's national conditions.

He said it's important to ensure grain supplies, advance supply-side structural reforms, and enhance China's efficiency and competitiveness in agricultural production. In his view, the government should make effective use of market-oriented approaches and support farmers' enthusiasm for growing grain.

Efforts are also needed to accelerate innovation in the seed industry, implement the Essentially Derived Varieties (EDV) system, and strengthen protection of relevant intellectual property rights, according to Li.

Externally, China should enhance cooperation and make good use of international resources and markets to bolster the country's food security and meet the Chinese people's aspiration for a better life, Li said.