In the wake of the Sichuan earthquake, though, there is widespread Chinese criticism of governmental corruption, lax building codes and the poor quality of infrastructure.

‘Go out’ for food

It is now official. After oil and mineral resources, China is getting ready to extend its ‘go out’ strategy for food. Recognising the importance of ensuring adequate food supplies for its billion plus population that is enjoying rising levels of prosperity, China is considering plans to produce and secure food from beyond its border.

Last week, reports from Beijing said China’s ministry of agriculture is debating a proposal to assist national companies in acquiring land overseas for food production. The reports also indicated that the under populated regions of Africa and Latin America might be the initial targets for a new Chinese policy on food security. Russia too could be an inviting proposition.

Sceptics in China and beyond argue it is unrealistic to premise national food security on overland production, especially when poorer countries are alarmed at rapidly rising food prices. They call, instead, for an emphasis on raising agricultural productivity at home. This might be easier said than done.

“We now have less room to increase grain planting acreage, and it is becoming more and more difficult to raise yields,” Nie Zhenbang, a senior Chinese official dealing with agriculture was quoted as saying by the China Daily last week. He cited shrinking arable land and water shortages as the main challenges to China’s future grain supply.

China, after all, owns only nine per cent of the world’s arable land, but is home to nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population. If future food imports are inevitable, China thinks it might have no option but to secure reliable access to foreign production of food.

... contd.