Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, addresses a special consultative session held by the CPPCC National Committee to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, in Beijing, capital of China, July 28, 2026. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin]

The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a special consultative session in Beijing on July 28 to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the session and delivered remarks.

Wang said that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has placed issues related to agriculture, rural areas and rural residents at the top of the CPC’s work agenda.

He noted that China has made historic achievements in advancing agricultural and rural development by prioritizing agriculture and rural areas, winning the battle against poverty, pushing forward rural vitalization, and accelerating agricultural and rural modernization.

Wang called on the CPPCC to follow the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, including those set out for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.

He stressed the need to fully understand the significance of agricultural and rural modernization to Chinese modernization as a whole, and recognize food security as a matter of fundamental importance for the country.

Wang urged the CPPCC to focus on key areas, including enhancing the overall production capacity, quality, and performance of agriculture, building a beautiful and harmonious countryside for people to live and work in, and ensuring that policies aimed at strengthening agriculture, benefiting farmers and achieving rural prosperity deliver greater outcomes.

He called for stronger efforts in research, consultation and democratic oversight, so as to provide practical suggestions and contribute to high-quality agricultural and rural development.

Wang also encouraged CPPCC members, including experts, scholars and entrepreneurs, to leverage their professional expertise and play a greater role in accelerating agricultural and rural modernization.

Nearly 100 CPPCC National Committee members attended the consultative session. Officials from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Areas of the CPPCC National Committee briefed participants on relevant research findings.

A total of 25 CPPCC National Committee members and experts spoke at the session, offering suggestions on a range of issues, including revitalizing the seed industry, increasing grain production capacity, strengthening agricultural product quality and safety systems, enhancing agricultural science and technology innovation and the application of research outcomes, supporting comprehensive rural vitalization in formerly impoverished areas, improving basic public services in rural areas, advancing agricultural and rural modernization in border and ethnic regions, and promoting sustained income growth for farmers.

Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-premier of the State Council, also addressed the session.

He called for continued efforts to prioritize agricultural and rural development and promote integrated urban-rural development.

He stressed the importance of focusing on the goal of building up China’s strength in agriculture, improving agricultural production capacity and efficiency, advancing regular targeted assistance, developing rural areas that are pleasant to live and work in, and strengthening policies that support agriculture, benefit farmers and promote rural prosperity.

He called for steady progress toward achieving basic agricultural modernization and enabling rural residents to enjoy modern living conditions.

Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the session.

CPPCC National Committee vice-chairpersons Hu Chunhua, Shen Yueyue, Mu Hong, Xian Hui, Wang Dongfeng, Jiang Zuojun, Qin Boyong and Zhu Yongxin attended the meeting.

Officials from relevant departments and institutions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attended the session to hear opinions and suggestions and engage in discussions with CPPCC members.