China has further enhanced its ability to ensure food security, with a multi-level and all-round reserve system as well as ample and high-quality grain stockpiles, according to the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NFSRA) marking the annual World Food Day on Wednesday.
The country is currently speeding up the procurement for autumn grain, with more than 20 million tons of crops purchased in main grain producing areas so far, showed the latest data released by the agency.
Compared with a decade ago, the design storage capacity of standard grain warehouses across China has increased by 36 percent, the administration said.
The comprehensive loss rate of grain in state-owned grain depots during the storage period is controlled within 1 percent, the administration added.
China continuously strengthens food security: grain reserve authorities
China has continuously strengthened food security
Protesters took to the streets of the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Wednesday, urging the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
The U.S. launched a military strike on Venezuela on Jan. 3, forcibly taking the South American country's president and his wife and placing them in custody in New York, an action that has drawn worldwide condemnation and concern.
"We insist on taking to the streets. All social movements and all political forces are defending the homeland. We will continue protesting and demand that the U.S. empire return our commander, our president," said protester Roni Campero.
"Everyone here voted for Maduro. We want him to return home safely," said protester Esperanza Olavarria.
The demonstrators said they believe U.S. efforts to destabilize the country will fail.
"The United States wants a civil war to happen here, but it hasn't succeeded. We are still standing firm and will continue fighting to the end," said protester Maria Hinojosa.
Venezuelans rally in Caracas, demand US release President Maduro
