New productive forces in agriculture highlighted

The central government has unveiled a policy blueprint calling for the development of new productive forces in the agricultural sector, a concept that includes accelerating breakthroughs in key technologies and fostering leading enterprises in agricultural science and technology.

The policy, released on Sunday as the country's "No 1 central document" for 2025, underscores the need to strengthen agricultural innovation, expand the use of artificial intelligence and advance smart farming.

As the first policy statements released by China's central authorities each year, No 1 central documents are seen as indicators of policy priorities. Since 2004, the central government has issued the No 1 document focused on agricultural and rural development for 22 consecutive years.