The World - News from Dec. 10, 1987

China’s agricultural policies are threatening its ability to feed itself, the country’s official press quoted party officials as saying. Acting Premier Li Peng was quoted by the New China News Agency as saying farmers must be given help to expand production of pork, eggs and other non-staples, which are now in short supply in city markets. Li, on a visit to a pig and poultry farm near Beijing, said cities must develop their own food production centers and end their dependence on state allocations or purchases from elsewhere. China’s three largest cities--Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin--recently imposed rationing of pork because of inadequate supplies. The move was a major setback for China’s market-oriented farming policies.