China News Service, March 12th (Reporter Zuo Yukun) Regarding issues such as the protection of cultivated land, the exploration and development of mineral resources, and ecological protection and restoration, on March 12th, at the "Ministerial Channel" in the third session of the National Two Sessions in 2023, Wang Guanghua, Minister of Natural Resources, answered one by one during the interview.

Firmly hold the red line of 1.8 billion mu of arable land

　　"Cultivated land protection is the 'biggest of the country', and the Ministry of Natural Resources insists on the most stringent system of cultivated land protection." Wang Guanghua said that three things must be done first this year.

　　One is to stabilize the total amount.

Last year, the Party Central Committee and the State Council officially issued the "National Territory and Space Planning Outline (2021-2035)", which clarified the goals and tasks for the protection of 1.865 billion mu of cultivated land and 1.546 billion mu of permanent basic farmland.

In the following process of reviewing and approving the three-level land and space planning of provinces, cities and counties, the above-mentioned goal should be decomposed and implemented step by step.

　　The second is to optimize the layout.

By adopting measures of rewards and punishments for farmland and economic rewards and punishments, some provinces in the south are encouraged to restore part of the lost high-quality farmland in an orderly manner, effectively curbing the further intensification of the movement of grain from the north to the south.

　　The third is to implement compaction responsibilities.

Next, we will jointly sign a letter of responsibility for the protection of cultivated land, and conduct an annual assessment in accordance with the requirements of the central government. Breaking through the red line of cultivated land will require a one-vote veto, so as to implement the requirements of party and government sharing responsibility and life-long accountability.

　　Wang Guanghua said that to do these three things well, we must grasp the three links.

The first is to strictly control the increase, regardless of the occupation of cultivated land for construction or agricultural structure adjustment, it must be strictly controlled. Improve the level of input and output per unit area; the third link is to strictly enforce the law. We must dare to show our swords and seriously investigate and deal with illegal construction and occupation of cultivated land with a zero-tolerance attitude.

　　"Through efforts in recent years,

the trend of continuous decrease of our total cultivated land has been initially curbed, and we have achieved a net increase of cultivated land for two consecutive years

." Wang Guanghua said, but this foundation is not very solid yet, and further efforts need to be made.

With the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the joint efforts of party committees and governments at all levels, and the support and supervision of all sectors of society, I believe that the red line of 1.8 billion mu of arable land will be maintained, and the rice bowl of the Chinese people will be firmly in their own hands.

On March 12, the first meeting of the 14th National People's Congress held the third "ministerial channel" interview activity.

This is Wang Guanghua, Minister of Natural Resources, being interviewed by the media.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Haoyuan

Fully launch a new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic action

　　Mineral resources are an important material basis for economic and social development, and the exploration and development of mineral resources is related to the national economy, the people's livelihood and national security.

Wang Guanghua pointed out that some major minerals in my country are currently highly dependent on foreign countries, and the demand for new energy and new material minerals is also growing rapidly. Measures must be taken to strengthen the exploration and development of domestic minerals and increase reserves and production to ensure energy resources and supply chains of important industrial chains. Safety.

　　Wang Guanghua said that a new round of prospecting and breakthrough strategic actions will be fully launched this year.

We have worked out an implementation plan for relevant actions with relevant departments to strengthen domestic exploration and development, and hope to consolidate and add a number of strategic mineral resource bases to truly increase reserves and production.

　　At the same time, the Ministry of Natural Resources will successively introduce policies to further create a favorable market environment, encourage and attract social capital to invest in ore prospecting, and find good ore and large mines.

In addition, it is necessary to further adjust the collection method of the income from the transfer of mining rights, and collect it on an annual basis according to the real sales income of mine production, so as to prosper the mining market.

　　Finally, it is necessary to further strengthen the scientific and technological support for mineral exploration.

"March into the depths of the earth" and accelerate the launch of major special projects for technological innovation.

One is to achieve breakthroughs in basic research and innovative prospecting theory, and the other is to break through the "stuck neck" problem in technology and equipment, and promote the further localization of high-end exploration and development equipment, thereby better supporting domestic prospecting.

Deploy a batch of new major ecological protection and restoration projects

　　Today is the 45th Arbor Day, which is an important legal festival in the construction of ecological civilization in our country.

Wang Guanghua said that the next step will be to build a national ecological security barrier and promote the construction of a beautiful China.

　　First, we must insist on giving priority to protection and accelerate the construction of a system of nature reserves with national parks as the main body.

We have officially established five national parks including Sanjiangyuan, Giant Panda, Siberian Tiger, Hainan Tropical Rainforest, and Wuyi Mountain. This year we will focus on promoting the design of a new batch of national parks such as the Yellow River Estuary, Qinling Mountains, Qiangtang, and Asian Elephants.

　　Second, we must adhere to systematic governance and deploy a new batch of major ecological protection and restoration projects.

Last year, the China Shanshui Project was selected by the United Nations as one of the first 10 ecological restoration flagship projects.

This year, a number of major ecological protection and restoration projects will be further deployed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Yangtze River, and the Yellow River.

At the same time, we will continue to implement the protection and restoration of coastlines and coastal zones, and focus on solving major problems such as coastal wetland degradation, coastline shrinkage, and alien species invasion.

At the same time, a demonstration project for ecological protection and restoration of abandoned mines will be launched.

　　Thirdly, we must persist in adapting measures to local conditions and scientifically carry out large-scale land greening actions.

Further enhance the functions of my country's ecosystem and enhance the diversity, stability and sustainability of the ecosystem.

(over)