China has been improving its capacity of ensuring food security over the years, with stable grain output, sufficient grain inventories, and steady market operation, an official said Thursday.

"We will make sure that the rice bowl of the Chinese people will always be firmly held in their own hands," said Cong Liang, administrator of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration. 

Cong Liang, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and administrator of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, speaks at a press conference in Beijing on May 11, 2023. [Photo by Xu Xiang/China SCIO]

As evidence of the capability of ensuring food supply, China's total grain acreage stands at 1.75 billion mu (116.7 million hectares), and a total of 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland has also been established. Official data further shows that China has had bumper harvests in grain production for 19 consecutive years, with grain output exceeding 650 billion kilograms for eight years in a row. 

While global food markets were unstable in recent year due to factors such as the pandemic, economic downturns, and extreme weather, China's grain prices have remained generally stable, operating within a reasonable range, Cong said, adding that China's market has kept sufficient supply, effectively meeting people's needs and contributing to the development of the economy and social stability.

To meet market demand and handle emergency situations, China has also enhanced its grain reserve system. Enterprises in the country have been purchasing around 400 billion kilograms of grains annually, effectively safeguarding the interests of grain farmers, Cong said.

In addition, China has improved its grain storage and logistics network. Its standard warehouses boast nearly 700 million metric tons of grain storage capacity, and the reserves of processed grain and oil in the main urban areas of 36 large and medium-sized cities as well as areas prone to price fluctuation can meet market demand for more than15 days, the official said.