Promoting grain production through high-standard farmland construction:Evidence in China

Food security is a strategic priority for a country’s economic development.In China,high-standard farmland construction(HSFC)is an important initiative to stabilize grain production and increase grain production capacity.Based on panel data from 31 sample provinces,autonomous regions,and municipalities in China from 2005–2017,this study explored the impact of HSFC on grain yield using the difference-in-differences(DID)method.The results showed that HSFC significantly increased total grain production,which is robust to various checks.HSFC increased grain yield through three potential mechanisms.First,it could increase the grain replanting index.Second,it could effectively reduce yield loss due to droughts and floods.Last,HSFC could strengthen the cultivated land by renovating the low-and medium-yielding fields.Heterogeneity analysis found that the HSFC farmland showed a significant increase in grain yield only in the main grain-producing areas and balanced areas.In addition,HSFC significantly increased the yields of rice,wheat,and maize while leading to a reduction in soybean yields.The findings suggest the government should continue to promote HSFC,improve construction standards,and strictly control the“non-agriculturalization”and“non-coordination”of farmland to increase grain production further.At the same time,market mechanisms should be used to incentivize soybean farming,improve returns and stabilize soybean yields.

Arrangement of High-standard Basic Farmland Construction Based on Village-region Cultivated Land Quality Uniformity

As an important constitute of land consolidation, high-standard basic farmland construction is an important means to protect the quantity, quality and ecological environment of cultivated land. Its target not only lies in the increase of cultivated land quantity, but also the improvement of cultivated land quality, agricultural production conditions and ecosystem environments. In the present study, the quality evaluation method and construction arrangement of cultivated land were explored to facilitate the process of decision-making and implementation for high-standard basic farmland construction(HSBFC) with administrative village as the unit. Taking the land comprehensive improvement project area in Quzhou County, Handan City, Hebei Province as a case study, the whole process of the study comprised of three steps: 1) establishment of the evaluation model of cultivated land quality uniformity based on regional optimum cultivated land quality, and construction of the uniformity evaluation index system from the aspects of soil fertility quality, engineering quality, spatial quality and eco-environment quality, according to the new concept of cultivated land quality; 2) calculation of cultivated land quality uniformity by grading indicators, assigning scores and weighting sums, exploring the local homogenization characteristics of regional cultivated land quality through spatial autocorrelation analysis, and analyzing the constraints and transformative potential of barrier factors; 3) arrangement of HSBFC according to the principle of concentration, continuity and priority to the easy operation. The results revealed that the value of farmland quality uniformity for the administrative villages in the study area was between 7.76 and 21.96, and there was a difference between various administrative villages. The regional spatial autocorrelation patterns included High-High(HH), Low-Low(LL), High-Low(HL) and Low-High(LH). These indicate that regional cultivated land quality has local homogenization characteristics. The most restrictive factors in the study area were the medium and low transformation difficulty indexes, including soil organic matter content, farmland shelterbelt network density, field regularity and scale of the field. In addition, there were also high transformation difficulty indicators in some areas, such as sectional configuration. The project area was divided into four partitions: major construction area, secondary construction area, general construction area, and conditional construction area. The cultivated land area of each subarea was 1538.85 ha, 1224.27 ha, 555.93 ha, and 1666.63 ha, respectively. This comprised of 30.87%, 24.56%, 11.15% and 33.42% of the total project area, respectively. The evaluation model and index system could satisfy the evaluation of farmland quality and diagnosis of obstacle factors to facilitate the subsequent construction decision. The present study provides reference for the practice of regional HSBFC, and a new feasible idea and method for related studies.

Assessment of High-standard Farmland Construction Effectiveness in Liaoning Province During 2011–2015

At present, the large-scale construction of high-standard farmland in China has improved the quality of cropland and crop production and enhanced the eco-environmental security. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of high-standard farmland construction in Liaoning Province of China during the 12 th five-year period(2011–2015), through on-the-spot investigations and remote sensing monitoring, this study assessed the construction effectiveness of ten typical sampling projects in Liaoning Province and then presented practical suggestions. The main conclusions were as follows. 1) The ranges of increase in productivity of the ten sampling projects in Liaoning Province all surpassed the goal of 1500 kg/ha. 2) Among all sampling project areas, the levels of productivity stability of nine sampling projects were higher than that of the surrounding farmland in a severe drought year. However, the productivity stability of the high-standard farmland construction project in Faku County, Yiniupu Town, declined by 1.04% compared with the surrounding farmland. 3) Except for the high-standard farmland construction project in Dengta City, Dengta Irrigation Region, the productivity uniformity of the other nine sampling projects increased by 3.30%–88.10%. 4) Eight of the ten sampling projects belonged to Class 1, and two projects belonged to Class 2, showing that the effectiveness of high-standard farmland construction in Liaoning Province was quite good.There were some suggestions for high-standard farmland construction in the future. All departments should strengthen cooperation and formulate corresponding protection and development strategies suitable for local conditions. Additionally, lasting management mechanisms should also be established. Using remote sensing monitoring to assess the high-standard farmland construction effectiveness during the 12 th five-year period could provide experience and decision-making support for high-standard farmland construction in the future.

Patterns and Experience of China's Four Decades of Opening-Up

China＇s four decades of opening-up coincided with the trend of the world economy, and contributed to its own economic development. With a gradualist approach, China achieved opening-up without causing economic and social repercussions, and unleashed institutional dividends that facilitated its reform and development. This approach has breathed lasting momentum and vitality into China＇s economic growth and structural transition, and improved China＇s industrial competitiveness and status in the international division of labor. As a basic national strategy and one of the country＇s five development concepts, opening-up is essential for China to pursue peaceful development and stand proudly in the family of nations. Facing new changes in domestic and international environments in the new era, particularly increasing competition among major countries such as China and the United States, China should proactively explore a new model of opening-up, refocus opening-up from policy supply to capacity building, and form a new pattern of opening-up on all fronts for high-quality economic development.

ON THE OPENING-UP AND DEVELOPMENT OF SHANGHAIS PUDONG NEW AREA

In the development of Pudong, a strategic idea and goal ought to be fully realized, that is: with the development of Pudong as a lead, to further open up the cities along the Chang jiang (Yangtze) River, build Shanghai into an international center for economy, finance and trade, thus to spark a new economic take-off in the Changjiang River Delta and the whole Changjiang River Basin.To develop Pudong, the infrastructure construction must be developed first; and the development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries must be well coordinated. At present, the stress should be laid on tertiary sectors like finance, foreign trade, commerce, real estate, far-ocean transport, post and telecommunication, information and travelling service and so on. In the secondary industry, export processing and high and new technological industries should be put first, while the original raw-material industry should be improved in processing depth. As to the primary industry, a metropolitan suburban agriculture

China’s Seven-Decades of Opening-up:Empowering Growth and Reforms

This paper examines China’s seven-decades of opening-up and its achievements since 1949,presenting an overview of China’s importation of technology and formation of a modern industrial system in the first three decades,as well as opening-up and development in the last four decades.We discuss the rationale behind the gradualist approach to opening-up,focusing on how factor endowment,reform,and the opening-up policy have shaped China’s opening-up landscape.We also address the doubts and controversies arising from China’s opening-up and the positive effects of opening-up on reforms.Lastly,we present possible future trends for China’s transition towards the horizontal division of labor and neutral and institutional opening-up.

Shoulder New Responsibilities in All-around Opening-up——Interview with CPPCC member and CCPIT Chairperson Gao Yan

'We shall promote opening-up in an all around way and develop new competitive edge in international economic cooperation.'This year’s government report has laid out a blueprint for China’s opening-up.What role shall the CPPIT play in this process? What will the CCPIT do to support the stability of foreign trade and investment, cope with international economic conflicts and promote the Belt and Road projects?Our reporter was honored to interview Ms. Gao Yan, CPPCC member and Chairperson of the CPPIT.

Two Sessions 2019:Taking Action for Further Opening-up

China’s Two Sessions, an annual political event that drew much attention, started on March 3rd 2019when the opening ceremony of the second plenary session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC (Chinese People Political Consultative Conference) was held.This year marked the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, and is also a pivotal year for building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way.

Reform of Rural Planting Structure in China since the Reform and Opening-up and Its Main Problems

Based on the oral interview of six different types of rural families in Houdian Village,Longkou City,Shandong Province,combined with the adjustment of rural reform policies,this paper analyzed reasons for the reform of rural planting structure in China since the reform and opening-up and elaborated the general outline of the reform of the planting structure.From the changes in farmers' attitudes,it explored the achievements and shortcomings of rural reform in the past 40 years.It discussed problems such as shortage of labor resources and vacancy of family education of teenagers in the current sustainable development of rural areas.Finally,it came up with some recommendations for the development of rural areas.

China’s New Moves on Reform and Opening-up Promise the World New Opportunities

LAST year, China celebrated the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening-up, which led the country on an unprecedented road to success. Thanks to that policy, China has developed in four decades from,in many respects, a backward thirdworld country, into one of the world’s leading economies.

Promoting Common Development Through Opening-up and Cooperation

Opening-up and cooperation are significant driving forces for enhancing the vitality of international economic and trade activities. Against the backdrop that economic globalization is blocked while trade protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, China remains a supporter and vindicator of opening-up and cooperation between countries.

Carry Forward Reform and Opening-up, Promote Peace and Development

THE 2018 Boao Forum for Asia(BFA)Annual Conference was a major diplomatic event hosted by China,with this year’s theme,"An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity."With this year marking the 40th anniversary of the country’s reform and opening-up,visions of openness and development set the tone of this high-profile conference.The key topics of the forum-the Belt and Road Initiative and building a community of a shared future for mankind-undoubtedly boosted the confidence

Achievements in the Reform Of the Cultural Field over the 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up

With the deepening of Reform and Opening-up,the reform and development in cultural field has gone through an extraordinary journey and achieved remarkable achievements.

China Marks 40^th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up

On December 18,China held a grand gathering to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the country's Reform and Opening-up,a great revolution that has changed the destiny of the Chinese nation and also influenced the world.

China’s Successful Reform and Opening-up Policy and Its Political Implications for Africa

Over the past four decades,the Chinese people have always pursued development with an open door,and have accomplished a great transition from seclusion and semi-seclusion to all-round openness.China,s economic progress,understood in a global historical context,is unique.Facing the rise of foreign companies in China,Beijing balances market competition due to the diversification of economic actors and local protection of SOEs and strategically important industries.The CPC has developed powerful,effective top-down mobilization capacities.The quality of the ruling party is also vital to developing countries,and most developing countries usually still lack well-developed governments,markets and civil societies.Reforms are necessary for growth and for the ruling party as well.While African developing countries face the challenge of finding a suitable development path,they could find the answer after getting a better understanding of Chinese reform and opening up.

Pilot Free Trade Zones:Taking Reform and Opening-up to New Heights

CONSTRUCTION of Pilot Free Trade Zones(PFTZs)is a strategic measure of China’s reform and opening-up policy.Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC),it has taken the policy’s effectiveness to new heights.

ZHENG BIJIAN:UNDERSTANDING CHINA AT A NEW STARTING POINT OF REFORM AND OPENING-UP

"Over the last 40 years,we have consistently adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace,followed the path of peaceful development and pursued a win-win strategy of opening-up,"declared Chinese President Xi Jinping,also general secretary of the Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee,at a major event on December 18,2018,organized to commemorate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up.

Celebrating 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended a grand gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 18,2018.The celebration started with everyone rising to sing the national anthem.

Cooperation and Win-win Progress is the Key Logic in China’s New Round of Opening-up

The cruelty of WWII left the world with pain and suffering.To ensure long-term peace,stability and development,people worked together and set up a US-centered global economic and political order,formulated a series of international codes of conduct and corresponding support mechanisms.From an economic perspective,they include international organizations such as IMF,WB,GATT,as well as the dollar-centered international monetary system agreement.

SONG HONG:NEW MEASURES FOR DEEPENING REFORM AND OPENING-UP

The annual Central Economic Work Conference concluded with a statement that ensuring sound economic work is especially important for 2019,which marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.It is also crucial for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.One key task is to advance all-round opening-up.