Guangdong, which depends on other provinces for half of its food supply, became the first major province to declare a shortage of rice and other food, according to a Guangdong provincial Statistics Bureau report.

The news came even as three of about 70 Hong Kong rice traders have advised the Trade and Industry Department of their intention to import mainland rice since registration started last Thursday.

The bureau report on the Guangdong agricultural and rural economic situation in 2007 and prospects for this year revealed the province will, in the long run, continue to have a structural shortage in rice production and other food items, "and the situation is worsening. ... Read full article