Multidimensional analysis of food security and safety in China: insights from overseas think tanks and media

Abstract

Amid worldwide reforms to the food supply chain and increasing threats of foodborne diseases, food security and safety have become crucial to national sovereignty and economic resilience. Previous studies have focused on specific areas and individual perspectives. We explored the multidimensional aspects, underlying causes, and proposed countermeasures related to food security and safety in China, utilising analyses from overseas think tanks and international media to better address uncertainties in the global food market. This analysis examined 547 reports from the 10 leading food security think tanks worldwide and 269 news articles from 170 major international media outlets published over the past 30 years. Using semantic network and sentiment analyses, the study examined cognitive similarities and differences, causal factors, and countermeasures within a strategic intelligence framework that incorporates spatial, temporal, and emotional dimensions. International think tanks and media broadly agree that China remains a key focus of global coverage, particularly in climate change and sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, differences emerge in narrative reasoning, timescales, and suggested remedies. Think tanks from four countries display different spatial frameworks, while media reports show diverse positions influenced by economic structures, geopolitical factors, and industrial traits. Think tanks use more professional and policy-focused language, whereas media coverage tends to be more life-oriented and driven by events. Cognitive distinctions among strategic intelligence organizations arise from their institutional roles, information-processing methods, risk assessment, and stakeholder priorities. Therefore, China should adopt a comprehensive approach to agriculture and food production, systematically address the factors that transmit external cognitive biases, and continually enhance food safety, agricultural modernization, social co-governance and sharing, as well as international regulation and collaboration. These measures will help in developing a comprehensive discourse framework on food security and safety that reflects China's unique context.