Water and food security in China

China is the most populated developing country in the world. It has to feed about 22% of the world population using only 7% and 8% of the world arable land and freshwater resources respectively. But with sustained growth of the cosmically-based population, global warming and drought, environmental degradation, extensive and aggravated pollution, and decreasing water resources and arable land, China might face tremendous challenges and pressure for water and food security. About 70% of the poor live in arid/semi-arid areas of Northwest China where food insecurity issue is projected to last long into the future coupled with slow economic growth. Recently, China has focused on developing the western region through the implementation of strategies like reduced and even zero agricultural taxes, increased financial input, water conservancy construction and an array of other poverty alleviation projects. All these measures play key roles in solving the problem of poverty in the northwest region.