China will strive to protect its arable land by ensuring that the area of farmland remains above the redline of 120 million hectares, Minister of Natural Resources Guan Zhi'ou said on Tuesday.
Guan responded to a question about farmland protection during an interview after the closing meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"Through the concerted efforts of the whole society, we have firmly kept the area of farmland above the red line of 120 million hectares, providing crucial support for consecutive years of grain harvests. This year's government work report and the No. 1 central document have both set clear requirements for farmland protection, which we must implement effectively. In particular, we need to comprehensively enhance the efficiency of farmland protection by integrating parameters including quantity, quality, and ecological sustainability," he said.
The minister outlined three major measures for farmland protection this year: accelerating the development of a unified farmland protection management system, implementing comprehensive management of farmland based on local conditions, and coordinating farmland protection with rural ecological governance.
"Farmland protection is a systematic undertaking. We must continue to enforce strict measures to firmly curb illegal appropriation of farmland while fostering a collective sense of economical and intensive utilization of land to minimize or avoid improper occupation at the source. At the same time, we should remain open to media scrutiny and adopt more pragmatic measures to hold onto the area of arable land above the red line of 120 million hectares, so as to ensure food security in China," Guan said.
China to hold onto red line to ensure arable land, food security: minister
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
