Dr. Chen Hongtian and Other Renowned Shenzhen & Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Join Hands With Zhongnong Haidao In Building The "National Seawater Rice Ecological Granary"

2020.10.18

On October 16, 2020, the "One Heart, One Dream - Building a Granary Together: Kickstart Ceremony of the National Seawater Rice Ecological Granary Project" conference was held in Shenzhen. Dr. ChenHongtian, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, a Justice of the Peace appointed by the HKSAR, Chairman of Harmony Club, and Chairman of Cheung Kei Group attended the conference and initiated the project together with scientists from Zhongnong Haidao (Shenzhen) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, as well as renowned Shenzhen and Hong Kong entrepreneurs.

Over 600 guests, including Zhang Siping, former Standing Committee Member of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee and former Minister of the United Front Work Department; Zhong Xiaoyu, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and former Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen CPPCC; Liao Yuanfei, Director of the Shenzhen Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau; Wu Zhiqiang, member of the StandingCommittee of the Nanhai District Committee of Foshan City; other leaders from the government authorities; Chen Xiaoxia, President of Cheung Kei Group; Chen Vincent Peng Yu, Vice President of Cheung Kei Group; members of the Board of Directors of Zhongnong Haidao; scientists from the Institute of Genomics; renowned entrepreneurs; representatives from the banking industry; representatives the chambers of commerce and trade associations in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau; and the media were in attendance at the event.

CheungKei Group Chairman Dr. Chen Hongtian and Chairman of the Board of Zhongnong Haidao Prof. Yang Jigun walking together into the venue.

The conference was organised by Zhongnong Haidao and co-organised by the Shenzhen Agricultural Genome Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and supported by the Office of Assistance and Cooperation for Poverty Alleviation of Shenzhen Municipality. It aims to officially launch and announce the "cross-sector collaboration" with the top research team in Shenzhen and mark the occasion of the 40th World Food Day with business elites, with the creation of a "National Seawater Rice Ecological Granary" specialising in the variety of seawater rice. The scope of the project includes a "Billion, Million, Thousand" plan, which strives to restore and remake 100 million Mu of non-fertile saline and mudflat land in within 10 years, build ten national modern agricultural parks covering 10,000 Mu of land each, to in turn add 10 million Mu of arable land to the country. On the whole, the project will lift one million farmers out of poverty, provide stable employment, and increase the country's annual harvest by 50 billion kg of high-quality seawater rice.

Professor Yang Jigun delivering a speech at the event.

Dr. Chen Hongtian delivering a speech at the event.

Dr. Ma Weihua delivering a speech at the event.

The Shenzhen and Hong Kong entrepreneurs partnering with Zhongnong Haidao are the new strategic investorsin the venture, and would also serve as members of its Board of Directors. They are Dr. Chen Hongtian; Dr. Ma Weihua, member of the National People's Congress, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, former President and CEO of China Merchants Bank; Chen Hua, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Chairman of Kingkey Group; Xu Hang, member of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of Shenzhen Parkland Group; Wong Kwong Miu, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Chairman of Centralcon Investment Holdings Limited; Li Hua, member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Excellence Group; Dr. ShuXin, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jin'ao Holdings Group Limited; Yao Yongning, Chairman of Shenzhen Shen Shang Holdings Limited.These partners will work together to increase the number of viable plots of land by 100 million Mu in land area, and help millions of families to lift themselves out of poverty.

Dr.Chen Hongtian and the guests watching a promotional video of the event.

Dr. Chen Hongtian and fellow renowned entrepreneurs from Shenzhen and Hong Kong stepped into the venue with their hands joined with scientists in the field of agriculture, to launch the construction phase of the "National Seawater Rice Ecological Granary". This symbolic gesture signifies the energy of the project brought about by the great partners involved, and that a vibrant path has been forged for the strategic development of the country.

Dr. Chen Hongtian, President Chen Xiaoxia and members of the Board of Directors of Zhongnong Haidao kickstart the "National Seawater Rice National Ecological Granary" project.

At the conference, Prof. Yang Jigun and Dr. Chen Hongtian were interviewed by the media. Professor Yang said, "For technology to take off, the power of both technology and capital is required. Without either element, the project will not take flight. The capital participation of well-known entrepreneurs such as Dr. Chen Hongtian will play a huge role in the future development of seawater rice. Apart from the participation of entrepreneurs in capital contribution, apart from capital, these businessmen also bring other resources including their business strategies and operational capabilities, which businesses in our technology-based field lack typically."

Dr. Chen Hongtian shared, "This is an important and meaningful strategic investment by my fellow Shenzhen and Hong Kong entrepreneurs, as it can solve the issue of food security in China. Not only do we bring strong capital to the table, but we can also share our advanced business management skills. This can help grow our business into a massive grain production enterprise. I believe that in the future, Zhongnong Haidao's contributions to the country, will be as impactful as Huawei's contribution to China's telecommunications sector."

Dr. Chen Hongtian being interviewed by the media.

Cheung Kei Group is the single largest shareholder in Zhongnong Haidao, and both parties have reached a strategic cooperation in the agricultural sector. Dr. Chen Hongtian and President Chen Xiaoxia will be joining the Board of Directors of Zhongnong Haidao, and they will be serving as Zhongnong Haidao's Executive Vice Chairman and President, and Zhongnong Haidao's Board Director and Executive Vice President respectively.

This is another major investment for Cheung Kei Group to in line with its value investment philosophy, to increase equity investment in high-quality businesses.This move will help the Group to broaden its investment horizons and ensure its diversified development. The capital invested will be used for the operation and development of Zhongnong Haidao, and the senior management of Cheung Kei Group will participate actively in the management and operation of Zhongnong Haidao. Both sides will leverage their unique strengths in their respective fields, to take concrete action to achieve "ecological poverty alleviation", and "poverty alleviation through technology". To build a granary that belongs to the Chinese people, and safeguard the century-old industry of Chinese grainsis in direct response to the initiative of "Grow, nourish, sustain. Together".

Full house at the event.

Zhongnong Haidao (Shenzhen) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in April 2018, and it is a high-tech biotechnology business that integrates "seawater rice product research and development, seawater rice cultivation, and land salinity transformation". The company conducts innovative research in areas such as "seawater rice genome mining, seawater rice germplasm resource research, screening of new seawater rice variety, seawater rice product development, saline land development and improvement", to achieve its objective of seawater rice resource conservation.

As of 2019, Zhongnong Haidao has completed trials for planting new varieties and regional trials at 33 planting basecamps across 12 provinces. Based on the extensive yield testing conducted, the yield of the tested varieties (strains) is stabilised at 400-500kg per Mu on average. Upon testing, the quality of the seawater rice produced is excellent in quality rice that is low in alkali, and the quality has already reached the national standard for quality rice. Mass production has started in 2020, on a production land area of over 300,000 Mu. Currently, we have entered the harvest period, and a good harvest is anticipated.

This joining of forces of giants in technology and the capital market marks a brand new era, and will create another legendary chapter in the field of agricultural technology and capital market in China. Cheung Kei Group will strive to forge ahead in this new field and journey, to contribute its expertise for the construction of a safety barrier for national food security, and to alleviate poverty through science and technology.

Liu Zhiqiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Heungkong Group; Wan Jie, Chairman of Artron Culture Group; Lu Shaojie, Chairman of the Board of Feida Group Co.; Ken Chu, Chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group; Li Xiaoyong, Chairman of Shenzhen Huachengfeng Group; Tu Huilong, Board of Directors of Haiya Holdings, Wang Mingfan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Boton Group; Wen Peirong, President of Baolilai Group; Sun Yun, Director of Shenzhen Chang Jiang Furniture, Chang Jiang College, Ya Er De International Group Director; Liu Chaoxia, Chairman of Shenzhen TOP Healthy Medical Co.; Li Weibo, Chairman of the Board and Presidentof Glory Harvest Group; Qiu Jianmin, Chairman of Shenzhen Deren Electronics Co.; Zhang Qingjie, Chairman of Shenzhen Le'anju Commerce Co., Ltd.; Chen Guoxiong, Chairman of Shenzhen Versino Fashion Garment Co.; Zhou Taolin, Founder of Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co.; Zhou Guohui, Chairman of Shenzhen Eternal Asia Supply Chain Management Ltd.; Zhou Fuxin, Chairman of Shenzhen Gasun Construction Group; Zheng Guiquan, Chairman of Shenzhen Qingpeng Industrial Group; Zhao Lisheng, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kingworld Pharmaceutical Group; Zhao Zhiming, Chairman of TMSON Investment Holding Group; NiMu, Chairman of Shenzhen Zhong Ke Nano Technology Co., Ltd.; Guo Deying,Chairman of Spring Woods Group; Qin Minyi, Chairman of Shenzhen Daxing Baode Automobile Sales & Service Co.; Huang Yucun, Chairman of Shenzhen Chuangjie Technology Co.; Huang Shun, Director of Shenzhen Bond Culture Development Co.; Tu Fangkui, Chairman of Shenzhen Farad Electric Co.; Zeng Yunshu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ruixinhaide Holdings Limited; Zeng Bo, Chairman of Shenguorong Financial Management Group; Cai Wenchuan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shenzhen Budeliao Holding Group; entrepreneurs Ding Mingshan, Qin Yinglin, He Jianfeng, Yu Gengrong, Huang Maoru; Zhongnong Haidao Vice Chairman Chen Jiantao and Wang Yuhui; Zhongnong Haidao Directors Zheng Wenjun and Li Li; Zhou Baozhi, President of Bank of CommunicationsGuangdong Branch; Chen Xuanqiang, President of Bank of Shanghai Shenzhen Branch; Li Min, Assistant to the President of Bank of Jiangsu Head Office; Xu Xu Peng, President of Hang Seng Bank, Shenzhen Branch; Yan Jun, Vice Presidentof CITIC Bank Shenzhen Branch; Xu Bin, Vice President of UOB Shenzhen Branch; Su Huiqing, Vice President of Bank of East Asia Shenzhen Branch; Harmony Club's Youth Committee Li Yuan, Zhou Cankun, Chen Yang, Chen Siling; well-known writer Xia Ping; Liu Nanxing, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of Harmony Club; and representatives from Harmony Club, Guangdong-HK-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union, Shenzhen Charity Alliance,  Federation of Hong Kong Shenzhen Associations ShenzhenOverseas Chinese International Association, Shenzhen Industry-University-Research Institute Collaboration Association, Shenzhen Women Entrepreneurs Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce –Qianhai, Harmony Club Youth Committee, Youth Chawnese Sodality of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Youth Entrepreneurship Promotion Association, Fujian Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong, Shenzhen Foundations Development Promotion Association; Shenzhen New Retail Industry Interconnection Association; Shenzhen Businessmen's Association, and other chambers and associations in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.