Published Paper Details:

Often ridiculed for its long history of regular drought- and flood-induced famines, China has always tried to ensure food security for its citizens. A multitude of famines across the years has caused unimaginable public suffering and stress and social instability. "No other civilization has had such a continuous tradition of thinking about famine, and no other nation's modern history has been so influenced by hunger and famine, in at least one of its districts, every year from 108 BC to 1911 AD." In modern times (1920-1921), approximately 500,000 out of a population of 48.8 million in Five Provinces have died from widespread famine and over 19.8 million have been rendered destitute. Then again in 1943, about 3 million perished in Henan province's famine. Thus, it is this long stretch of famine that has led to the fear of famine haunting the thoughts of leaders and economy planners. China is thus unique in its outlook to give such importance to the nation's food security. Since ancient times, the Chinese people have considered 'food' to be a necessity for everyone. For over 5,000 years in the past, the 'mandate of heaven' given to the ruling dynasties has been linked to the availability and distribution of food items. The traditional worldview of China is that the ruler is solely responsible for having enough food to feed his subjects and providing sufficient and timely relief and support should a famine occur. It is believed that rulers who ignore this paramount responsibility would suffer from losing the 'mandate of heaven'. Thus every ruling regime's continued political and public support and official legitimacy has been based on its efforts to build sustainable food security for its people. Self Sufficiency in producing grains to feed its Population had gained Primacy in China from 1949-1990. Presently China is utilising the global food market and agricultural resources to adequately harmonise and complement its food security.