China in Global Food Security Governance

Abstract

The Chinese public's domestic expectation is that its state will ensure a safe and affordable supply of food. However, in doing so, China has acquired large amounts of farmland abroad which has raised concerns among many developing countries. It has been argued that land grabbing in the developing world is a form of neo-colonialism. This role of a colonial power is in conflict with China's historical role, which presents China as a leader of the developing world. In order to bring these role expectations into conformity with each other, China has taken a more active role in global food security governance. It has brought food security to what is becoming the core of the global governance decision-making system, the G20. China's historical role, together with its growing economic power, has helped to push the G20 to understand the importance of food security. This has shifted the G20's understanding of economic global governance away from the traditional fields of banking and trade regulation toward understanding the developmental-oriented economic structure.

Notes

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^81.Hu Jintao Addresses the G20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy in Washington.

^82. ‘Chinese FM says China plays unique, important role at G20 summit’, Xinhua, (20 June 2012), available at: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-06/20/c_131666632.htm.

^83.Ibid.

^84. Blas Javier, ‘G20 plans response to rising food prices’, The Financial Times, (12 August 2012), available at: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/17cca4aa-e47d-11e1-affe-00144feab49a.html#axzz2C74k4q16.

^85. Hui Liangyu, ‘Strengthen Cooperation for Global Food Security’.

^86.Ibid.

^87. ‘Chinese FM says China plays unique, important role at G20 summit’, Xinhua.

^88.Ibid.