China’s sovereign wealth fund is shifting its focus to invest in agriculture and global food supplies in a significant strategic move that reflects the priorities of the country’s new leadership.
In an opinion piece today in the Financial Times, Ding Xuedong, chairman of China Investment Corporation, said the $650bn sovereign wealth fund wanted to invest more in agriculture around the world and “across the entire value chain”.
In a nod to the controversy surrounding past attempts by Asian and Middle Eastern governments to secure farmland and food supplies in poorer countries, particularly in Africa, Mr Ding said CIC wanted to partner governments and institutional investors.