Innovation behind China's 'egg freedom'

With 10,200 sets of Jing-series laying hens being exported to Tanzania on March 17, China continues its livestock and poultry contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative.

The first Jing-series egg laid in Tanzania on Oct 11, 2023 marked the beginning of improved poultry breeds from China helping with Tanzania's egg industry.

Though China has been raising chickens for thousands of years, the country has only achieved "egg freedom" in recent decades, with domestic laying hens becoming independent of imports for just over one decade.

The rapid progress in agricultural technology led to the self-sufficiency of China's egg production. Playing a crucial role in the development is Wu Guiqin, chief expert of major national agricultural science and technology projects and director of the poultry research institute at Beijing Huadu Yukou Poultry Industry Co Ltd in Beijing. Wu and her team spent over 20 years in poultry breeding and technological advancements, paving the way for China's poultry industry.