Flows of crop germplasm resources into and out of China

China is not only a major grain producer but also a major food consumer. What is more, food production is related to national economic and social stability. Therefore, food production is considered to be highly important in China and ranks among the highest priorities of the government at all levels. In March 2010, Premier Jiabao Wen (2010), in the Report on the Work of the Government, proposed that: [w]e will comprehensively implement the plan to increase grain production by 50 million tons nationwide, with the emphasis on major grain-producing regions. With the focus on breeding improved crop varieties, we will accelerate innovation in agricultural technology, widespread adoption of scientific and technological advances, and carry out a major science and technology project to create new crop varieties using gene transfer technology.