Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said during a spring planting inspection in the northern Hebei Province on Saturday and Sunday that the Chinese people were fully capable of feeding themselves.
Wen said the country's self-reliance in feeding its 1.3 billion people with its own grain production was a great contribution to the world.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front R) chats with a villager during his work trip in Shilipu Village, Shahe City, north China's Hebei Province, April 5, 2008. "China has abundant grain reserves standing at 150 million to 200 million tonnes," said Wen. The government had already taken a series of measures to support farm and rural sectors.
The central government vowed this year to spend 562.5 billion yuan (80.1 billion U.S. dollars) to support farms and the rural sector, 130.7 billion yuan more than last year.
The State Council, or Cabinet, decided last month to spend another 25.25 billion yuan in addition to this year's rural budget, mainly to subsidize farmers' purchase of seed, diesel, fertilizers and other production materials.
Wen told farmers in Renxian County, Hebei, "The government will not change its position in supporting farmers, and it will give more and better preferential policies to farmers.
"China's grain output grew four consecutive years to reach 500 billion kilograms in 2007, and we are confident the country can maintain a stable supply this year if there are no future severe natural disasters."
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) visits the house of a villager during his work trip in Tianzhai Village, Yongnian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 6, 2008.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) is greeted by villagers during his work trip in Datun Village, Renxian County, north China's Hebei Province, April 5, 2008. Wen was on a spring planting inspection trip in Hebei on Saturday and Sunday. 
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) inspects a chicken farm during his work trip in Handan City, north China's Hebei Province, April 6, 2008.Source: Xinhua
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