Large-scale mechanized wheat harvest is in full swing across China during the busy farming season, with artificial intelligence-aided technology playing an essential role in enhancing efficiency and productivity.
The harvesting of summer grain crops usually starts shortly before or on the Mangzhong day -- which falls on June 5 this year -- on the Chinese lunar calendar. During this period, grain harvesting, crop planting and field management are being carried out in China's main wheat production areas.
As the wheat harvest is in full swing across China, the daily mechanized wheat harvesting acreage has exceeded 4 million mu, or about 266,700 hectares.
Key regions for wheat harvesting include Henan in central China and Anhui and Jiangsu in east China. Henan and Anhui boast the largest and most productive wheat areas in the country, contributing over 70 percent of the national winter wheat acreage and nearly 80 percent of its total production.
In Luohe City of Henan, a smart factory of the country's leading food trader China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO), a great amount of the wheat processing operations has been performed by robots.
During the peak summer harvest, the factory receives tens of thousands of tons of wheat each day. Thanks to a smart platform, the efficiency has been greatly increased.
"We used to identify the quality of the wheat with the human eye. Now, the AI machine has taken over this job from us using algorithms, which increases efficiency by five to six times," said Wang Mingtie, head of the factory.
After passing their "health check," the wheat will undergo crucial processes like cleaning, color sorting, and processing. Intelligent robots will then transport it to the 50,000-square-meter milling workshop, all within a closed system.
Afterwards, bags of fresh flour will be stored into a smart warehouse before leaving the factory.
Smart technologies aid summer wheat harvest
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
