On September 22, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held its September press conference. Given the ongoing super El Nino phenomenon this year and expectations from international agencies that its effects may persist into next year, creating uncertainty for global food production, questions arose regarding the NDRC's targeted response measures.
Li Chao, Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office and Spokesperson for the NDRC, addressed this inquiry. According to professional forecasts, a super El Nino event is expected this autumn and winter, peaking around year-end, with climate impacts lasting until next summer. This presents considerable uncertainty for global food production and warrants serious attention. Overall, China's agricultural sector is well-prepared, well-conditioned, and fully capable of addressing risks and challenges such as El Nino.
Closely Tracking El Nino Developments
Li Chao further elaborated that, from a foundational perspective, China's grain output stability is firmly rooted. To date, over 1 billion mu of high-standard farmland have been established, irrigated farmland exceeds 1.09 billion mu, the coverage rate of improved crop varieties surpasses 96%, and the overall mechanization rate for crop cultivation, harvesting, and processing reaches 76.7%, significantly enhancing emergency harvesting and drying capabilities. In 2025, despite spring droughts, summer heatwaves, and autumn rains, China's grain output still reached 1.43 trillion jin, an increase of 16.75 billion jin from the previous year, maintaining a level above 1.4 trillion jin for two consecutive years.
Looking at the current situation, preparations for this year's autumn-winter planting are proceeding in an orderly fashion. With the large-scale autumn harvest imminent, followed immediately by the critical autumn-winter planting phase, reports indicate that most regions are experiencing favorable weather, allowing for a normal harvest and timely preparation for subsequent planting. Major production areas have good soil moisture, conducive to sowing, with ample wheat seed supplies and robust support for fertilizers and other agricultural inputs.
Moving forward, the NDRC will collaborate with relevant departments to closely monitor changing circumstances and proactively respond through several key actions. First, enhancing disaster monitoring and early warning by closely tracking El Nino developments, assessing risks by region and crop type, and formulating contingency plans. This also includes strengthening monitoring, early warning, and control capabilities for abnormal weather-related pests and diseases through the animal and plant protection capability enhancement project.
Secondly, consolidating the foundation of farmland and water conservancy by continuing to promote the construction of high-standard farmland and the modernization of large and medium-sized irrigation districts, coordinating the layout of drought-resistant water sources and drainage channels, and strengthening the integration of farmland construction with water conservancy facilities to improve drainage and drought resistance capabilities.
Thirdly, strengthening technological support for the seed industry by continuing to advance the modern seed industry enhancement project. This involves supporting seed bases in intensifying technical research and development efforts to address disasters such as low-temperature freezing damage and consecutive winter-spring droughts, thereby improving the supply capacity of high-quality varieties.
Fourthly, improving market regulation by strengthening the adjustment and coordinated operation of reserves at all levels, effectively utilizing policy-based grain resources, promptly activating minimum purchase price implementation plans where conditions permit, and fully leveraging the policy's role in supporting the market.
Orderly Expansion of Quality Undergraduate Enrollment
Multiple "Double First-Class" universities have initiated new campus construction projects. Regarding the NDRC's support arrangements and how it will guide the integration of new campus development with regional industrial growth and population aggregation, Li Chao stated that, in accordance with the "15th Five-Year Plan" outline, the NDRC will, during the 2025-2030 period, orderly expand enrollment for quality undergraduate education and graduate training, and support the construction of several new campuses for "Double First-Class" universities.
In recent years, the NDRC has utilized policy funds, including central budget investment and ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, to drive over 30 "Double First-Class" university new campus projects into large-scale construction phases. This aims to improve basic schooling conditions, establish major teaching and research platforms, proactively address the peak in higher education school-age population, and support technological self-reliance and independent talent cultivation.
During new campus construction, the NDRC will coordinate the synergistic development of higher education with employment, industry, and urban growth. The goal is to better meet public expectations while enhancing higher education's role in supporting high-quality economic and social development. On one hand, new campus construction will be integrated into major regional strategies, aligning higher education resource distribution with regional functional positioning and development needs. For example, supporting Beijing-based universities such as Beijing Jiaotong University, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing Forestry University, and China University of Geosciences (Beijing) in relocating to and building new campuses in Xiong'an New Area represents a key initiative to implement the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development strategy. Construction of these campuses is now in its critical phase, with operations expected to commence in September next year.
On the other hand, new campus construction will be precisely aligned with urban development. This involves coordinating educational research, residential living, commercial services, public culture, and other supporting functions to better promote talent concentration, job-housing balance, and industry-city integration, achieving mutual enhancement between universities and urban functions. Notably, approximately 50% of the "Double First-Class" university new campus projects supported by the "Two Major" construction initiative are located in central, western, and northeastern regions, effectively improving China's regional higher education distribution and driving economic and social development in these areas.
Additionally, the NDRC will consistently integrate investment in physical assets with investment in human capital, focusing on addressing shortcomings in university dormitories, canteens, sports facilities, and libraries. This will improve learning and living environments for students and create a favorable atmosphere for faculty to focus on teaching and students to dedicate themselves to study.
Cover image source: National Business Daily
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