The truth about China’s decision to encourage its citizens to stock up on food to meet the needs of daily life and emergencies.
Breaking news spread in the media under the title “China calls on its citizens to stockpile foodstuffs in preparation for an unspecified emergency,” which suggested to observers that China is preparing to face certain imminent dangers. But the reasons for this appear to be quite different from the rumors that have spread like wildfire in the Western media.
In a statement to the media, the head of the Middle East Studies and Development Center Wael Khalil Yassine, a consultant specializing in policy research of the Chinese State Council on West Asian and North African affairs, said, “This decision aims to remedy and prevent any future crisis in emergency situations that may occur in China.” At any time as a result of the outbreak of any virus or the occurrence of any natural disasters or any other crises, and this decision is very natural, as the Chinese leadership puts the people’s interest in the forefront and all sectors of the state always work as a beehive in order to ensure the well-being of the people, secure their needs and protect them from any risks.”
Yassin added, “The truth is that the Chinese government’s decision is to direct the need to encourage Chinese families to store a certain amount of daily necessities according to their needs to meet the needs of daily life and emergencies.”Explaining the details of the decision, Yassin said that according to the news published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on November 1, a notification has been issued to ensure the stability of supply and stability in the prices of vegetables and other necessities in the market for this winter and next spring. The circular stipulated that all local authorities support and encourage large agricultural trading institutions to establish close cooperation relations with the production bases of agricultural products such as vegetables, grains, oils, livestock and poultry, and sign long-term supply and marketing agreements. The source of goods, and the continuation of the supply chain must be ensured at the required level and the efficient delivery of local products and imported products, between products of the North and products of the South, and between products of closed establishments (greenhouses and factories) and outdoor products (farms and fields) in addition to improving the scope and management of meat reserves Local as the northern provinces have to complete this year’s winter and spring vegetable reserve plan on time, and the southern provinces should establish and improve vegetable reserves according to their own conditions, and schedule daily necessities such as meat and vegetables to supplement market supplies to supply reserves in time.The notification of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stressed the need to encourage families to stock a certain amount of daily necessities according to their needs to meet the needs of daily life in emergency situations, in addition to strengthening the construction of the emergency delivery network, improving emergency distribution centers and outlets, and ensuring smooth and effective delivery channels, And make full use of the network advantages of large-scale commercial enterprises to ensure the normal operation of the commercial supply network in periods of high demand and emergencies; Emphasis on the timely dissemination of information on supply, demand and commodity market prices to achieve market stability.
Also, when administrative measures are taken to shutdown due to epidemic prevention and control, the source, address, contact information and other information of secured supply outlets must be quickly published to meet the procurement needs of the population of daily necessities in emergency situations; Strengthening the post-responsibility system, strict implementation of the 24-hour work and leadership system, ensuring smooth communication; Strengthening supervision and inspection, strengthening investigation and patrols, finding problems in a timely manner and taking effective action.
