China SignPost™ (洞察中国) #22–Keeping the Mandate of Heaven: Why China’s leaders focus heavily on grain prices and security
Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson, “Keeping the Mandate of Heaven: Why China’s leaders focus heavily on grain prices and security,” China SignPost™ (洞察中国), No. 22 (17 February 2011).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
–Famine and grain supply problems helped topple at least 5 of China’s 17 dynasties.
–Global grain prices are already near the 2008 levels that sparked food riots in some countries, and continue to rise.
–The Chinese government has already pledged nearly US$2 billion to fight drought in China’s wheat producing North, where 42% of the crop area is currently affected by drought.
–Combating food price inflation will likely remain a major policy priority for Beijing throughout 2011. …
