MASTV:

As the summer grain purchase of this year is about to start, I would like to ask, what measures will be taken to bring every grain to the granary? Relevant reports showed that the future price of international wheat has hit a two-year low. What are your expectations about the price of China's summer wheat after purchasing? Thank you.

Cong Liang:

Summer grain purchase is the first task of China's annual grain purchase, playing a key role throughout the whole year. We are going to see the harvests of rapeseed and wheat from south to north. The NFSRA will work with relevant departments to concretely implement food safety requirements under the shared accountability system of the Party and government, faithfully put summer grain purchase high on the agenda, meticulously organize and carry out market-oriented and policy-based purchasing work, continue to provide services for farmers and enterprises, strictly enforce law enforcement and supervision on grain circulation, refine tasks, consolidate responsibilities, and take multiple measures at the same time so as to ensure the smooth development of summer grain purchase from all aspects.

Since last year, the international market of wheat has witnessed continuous fluctuations due to multiple factors such as regional conflicts, extreme weather, and capital speculation. However, China's wheat has achieved successive years of bumper harvests, maintaining a good balance between production and demand. The country's wheat inventory is at a high level and achieves absolute security of staple food. The market has operated in a stable manner on the whole. Regarding the dispatching situation, the sown area of wheat this year has expanded more than that of last year. The wheat is growing well, and looks forward to another good harvest again. It is expected that the price of new wheat will maintain stable. At present, the market prices of wheat and early indica rice are obviously higher than the minimum purchase prices, so it seems unlikely to start a consignment purchase plan. We will strengthen market monitoring, work with relevant parties to launch a minimum purchase plan in eligible places, give full play to the supporting role of policies, and ensure the bottom line that all farmers' grain can be sold. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you to all speakers and friends from the media. Today's briefing concludes now. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Wang Qian, Zhang Rui, Liu Sitong, Liu Caiyi, Zhang Junmian, Wang Yanfang, Yan Bin, He Shan, Zhang Tingting, Li Huiru, Qin Qi, Ma Yujia, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.