In assessing food security, analysts point to two challenges – climate change along with rising demand in China. Zhang Hongzhou, associate research fellow with the China Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, argues that “playing up the China threat narrative is rather misguided and unhelpful to global food security.” Food self-sufficiency is not an option for growing China. He points out that “China is feeding over 20 per cent of the world population with only eight per cent of the world’s arable land, and six per cent of the world’s water resources.” Western nations complaining about trade deficits should welcome China’s large food imports. Gradual, transparent entry by China won’t threaten food security, but may result in moderate price increases. China provides significant agricultural aid to developing nations and supports the UN Food and Agricultural Organization and World Food Program. China can apply a market or mercantilist approach to food security, Zhang concludes, and describing the country as threat could limit cooperation and lead to self-fulfilling prophecy. – YaleGlobal
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/global-food-security-debunking-%E2%80%9Cchina-threat%E2%80%9D-narrative
