China's state-owned CGTN announced (February 21) that the CCP CC had issued its Central Document No: 1 on Agriculture. This is the first Document of 2021. It stressed efforts to comprehensively accelerate rural vitalisation and the modernisation of agriculture and rural areas. The document pointed out that the government and CCP leadership will focus on work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. The Document said solving issues related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers remains the top priority. The document also set a target of 650 million tonnes (over 1.3 trillion catties) in grain output for 2021, with the rural income growth rate expected to outpace urban income growth rate and a deepened implementation of supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector. CGTN said the modernisation of agriculture and rural areas will make significant progress by 2025 and construction of rural infrastructure facilities will be basically completed by then. In addition to stressing the need to improve rural governance, the Document also urges governments of all levels to retain a "red line" of 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) of arable land and increase input in developing modern agricultural technology and equipment to advance the green development and the building of a modern rural industry system.

(Comment: The CCP CCC's Documents issued annually indicate the Party and Government's priorities for the year. Work on agriculture and rural areas has been the top priority on the agenda for 18 consecutive years.)