China wants Americas breadbasket to feed her populace

China eyes overseas land in food push
By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing

Published: May 8 2008 19:26 | Last updated: May 8 2008 19:26

Chinese companies will be encouraged to buy farmland abroad, particularly in Africa and South America(North America to be soon also), to help guarantee food security under a plan being considered by Beijing.

A proposal drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture would make supporting offshore land acquisition by domestic agricultural companies a central government policy. Beijing already has similar policies to boost offshore investment by state-owned banks, manufacturers and oil companies, but offshore agricultural investment has so far been limited to a few small projects.

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