Summary of the impact

How Chinese policymakers shape and progress agricultural policies against the backdrop of domestic population growth, rapid urbanisation, rising affluence and decreasing self-sufficiency in food production will have profound consequences for both China and its global trading partners. Agricultural transition and the transfer of resources from agriculture to industry has been a key factor underlying China's exceptional economic growth. Professor Laixiang Sun's research impacts upon the business and policy environment in which food producing and trading enterprises operate in China by contributing to the creation and development of the largest, most detailed predictive modelling tool for the Chinese agricultural sector, CHINAGRO II. His research has transformed policy makers' understanding of the future sustainability of Chinese agricultural development and had a significant impact on policy design and implementation. Facilitated by his research professorship at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in particular, Professor Sun has influenced Chinese government policy at the highest levels.