One of the World Food Prize Laureates was He Kang, the former Chinese Minister of Agriculture who was honored in 1993 for implementing the policies that moved China to self-sufficiency in grain, in a remarkably short period of time. Minister He and many of the agricultural scientists in China look to Dr. Borlaug as an “old friend” who provided them significant assistance along this road to success. Borlaug’s spring wheats went to China, via Pakistan, during the late 1960s. They were crossed with Chinese wheats, as well as directly selected for use. Borlaug himself led the way in establishing connections between China and the West. He has been going to China since 1974; one of the first scientists from the West to begin visiting there. He was there again in 1977 and at various times during the 1980s and 1990s. He has traveled extensively in the country, initially to wheat-growing areas, and over time to maize and other agricultural areas, talking with farmers and urging adoption of approaches he developed. During these visits, Borlaug has seen the tremendous improvements that have taken place since the collapse of the Cultural Revolution, particularly beginning in the watershed year of 1978. Borlaug often traces this success to the changes in Chinese nutrient management strategies, moving from a reliance on organic recycling of manure, through the building of small-scale plants and imports; to Chou en Lai’s authorization of the purchase of multiple large-scale nitrogen plants.

Reflecting the friendship and spirit of cooperation he has always demonstrated in his relationship with Chinese scientists and policymakers, Norman Borlaug was made an honorary member of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 1994.

http://www.worldfoodprize.org/borlaug/borlaug-history.htm#china