China is stepping up the purchase of autumn grain, with companies in the country's major grain-producing areas purchasing over 40 million tons of grain so far, data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration showed on Friday.
The planting areas of this year's autumn grain grow steadily and the per-unit yield of grain increases significantly, which ensures most provinces and regions in China see higher autumn grain output.
Middle- and late-season rice are sold on market as the purchasing activities are carried out from south to north of China. Over 23 million tons of middle- and late-season rice have been purchased by far.
This year China set the floor purchase price for indica rice and japonica rice at 2,580 yuan (around 362.22 U.S. dollars) per ton and 2,620 yuan (around 367.84 U.S. dollars) per ton respectively to protect the interests of growers in the country's main producing areas.
The purchase price of high-quality rice across China is significantly higher than that of ordinary rice.
The purchase price difference between high-quality and ordinary varieties ranges from 300 to 600 yuan (around 42.12 to 84.24 U.S. dollars) per ton, according to Cheng Min, senior economist from China National Grain and Oils Information Center.
"The price of middle- and late-season rice in new season is expected to remain generally stable this year, with higher purchase prices set for rice of higher quality," said Cheng.
Over 40 million tons of autumn grain purchased in China
Over 40 million tons of autumn grain purchased in China
Multiple Chinese rescue teams have arrived in the disaster-stricken areas in Myanmar, rushing to work with local responders around the clock to search for survivors following the massive and devastating earthquake that occurred on Friday.
In the hard-hit city of Mandalay, many Chinese rescuers have been working nearly 20 hours to search for lives among collapsed buildings and under the rubble.
The operation has faced significant hurdles with repeated aftershocks in the city complicating the rescue efforts. Despite these challenges, Chinese rescuers have made notable progress, as two dedicated rescue corridors have been established to accelerate the search and rescue process.
So far Chinese teams have rescued six survivors in severely-hit Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. The rescuers combed through the ruins of apartments, hotels and hospitals to find signs of life. Continuous aftershocks, power cuts, destroyed roads and communication interruptions made their rescue work even harder.
Meanwhile, more Chinese rescue teams are heading to Myanmar, bringing in earthquake experts, structural engineers, medical personnel and canine units, as well as life detectors, demolition equipment and field hospital systems.
Despite challenges like confined working areas, frequent aftershocks, residual fires and dense smoke, local and international rescuers are racing against time, hoping to save more people as the crucial 72-hour window of earthquake rescue closes.
The death toll from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 2,056, with approximately 3,900 people injured and nearly 270 reported missing, according to the country's State Administration Council Information Team on Monday.
Chinese rescuers race against time in Myanmar quake relief
