Zheng Jianbang, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and executive vice-chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang Central Committee, led a survey trip to inspect the modern seed industry in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, from July 4 to 6.

After visiting some local research institutes on animal breeding and breeding biotechnology, they held a symposium on promoting the modern seed industry in Hohhot, the capital city of the autonomous region.

In his speech, Zheng likened the seed industry to a "chip" in the development of agriculture and husbandry, saying that it is a strategic, fundamental and high-tech core sector.

Inner Mongolia has taken the lead in the cultivation and application of high-quality grass and livestock, he noted, saying that the region has made progress in seed industry revitalization, especially in strengthening the collection and protection of seed resources, improving its self-sufficiency in seed varieties, and improving the construction of a seed industry platform, Zheng said.

He also mentioned the shortcomings and weak links in China's seed industry, such as the unstable foundation for the sector's growth.

To address these problems, Zheng suggested consolidating the foundations of development, summing up experience in a timely manner, and giving full play to Inner Mongolia's important role in ensuring national food security and ecological safety.

He also urged for reforms and innovations to be made to develop and improve the system of and mechanism for high-quality growth in the sector, including strengthening the construction of seed industry bases, protecting quality seed resources, improving scientific and technological innovation capabilities, and supporting competitive players in the sector to grow bigger and stronger.