In a recent opinion editorial published by the Daily Caller, Gordon G. Chang delves into China's ambitious efforts to bolster its food security, a move he interprets as a precursor to potential aggression.
Chang highlights the transformation of a 225-meter-long bulk carrier into a floating farm by a Chinese state-owned shipbuilding company, which aims to produce 2,800 tons of fish annually. This initiative is part of a broader "marine bread basket" project intended to enhance China's food security by repurposing old vessels for aquaculture.
Chang argues that these efforts are not merely about food security but signal a more ominous intent. He notes that Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping is mobilizing state entities, including China State Shipbuilding Corp., in an all-encompassing drive to achieve food security. This initiative, Chang suggests, is indicative of Xi's preparation for conflict.
Beyond mobile fish farms, Xi's regime has embarked on a nationwide program to convert forests into farmland, reversing previous policies aimed at reforestation. The Rural Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Brigade, known as the "rural managers," has been uprooting cash crops and converting parks into farms. In Chengdu, for instance, a belt of parks created at a cost of over $4 billion has been transformed into farmland.
Xi's strategy also includes urging citizens to return to farming, reminiscent of Mao Zedong's infamous demand for peasants to "grow grain everywhere." The government has increased its agriculture stockpiling budget by 6.1% to $18.1 billion for grains and edible oils, underscoring its commitment to food security.
Chang raises concerns about China's actions beyond its borders, particularly its attempts to undermine American agriculture. In June, three Chinese nationals were charged with attempting to smuggle biological agents into the United States.
Among them, Yunqing Jian was arrested for trying to bring in Fusarium graminearum, a pathogen that poses significant threats to crops and is considered a potential agroterrorism weapon. Sean Lin, a former lab director at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, noted that the samples confiscated by the FBI were genetically modified strains, raising critical biosafety questions.
The editorial suggests that these actions are part of a broader Chinese campaign to destabilize American agriculture. Since 2020, there have been reports of unsolicited seed shipments from China to the U.S., raising suspicions about China's intentions.
Chang contextualizes these developments within the broader geopolitical landscape. According to Reuters, Beijing's increased measures to safeguard food security are part of its preparations for a prolonged trade war with the U.S. and other geopolitical challenges. However, Chang interprets these actions as preparations for conflict, with Xi stockpiling grain to ensure China can sustain itself during a potential war.
Despite these efforts, Chang argues that China remains heavily reliant on food imports, making it vulnerable to external pressures. Gregory Copley, President of the International Strategic Studies Association, emphasized that China's ability to achieve self-sufficiency is limited by its polluted soil and water resources.
In conclusion, Chang asserts that Xi Jinping's initiatives are not solely about securing China's food supply but are part of a broader strategy to weaken American agriculture. As China continues to import significant quantities of grains and soybeans, it remains dependent on other nations for its food needs.
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