Among the over 200 torchbearers taking part in the Olympic torch relay in Fuzhou are runners selected from all sectors. CCTV reporter Liu Ying tells the story of one of the torchbearers known as the "rice king" -- for his contribution to hybrid rice breeding.

67-year-old Professor Xie Hua'an is the creator of China's most widely planted hybrid rice strain-"Shanyou 63". His creation in the early 1980s is thought to have changed the destiny of hybrid rice. (CCTV.com)

67-year-old Professor Xie Hua'an is the creator of China's most widely planted hybrid rice strain-"Shanyou 63". His creation in the early 1980s is thought to have changed the destiny of hybrid rice.

Over the past thirty years, Professor Xie has developed more than a dozen strains of hybrid rice, which have greatly increased the output and quality of rice production in China. Because of his work, he was selected to be one of the torchbearers for the Fuzhou leg of the Olympic torch relay. And the rice cross-breeding expert sees something in common between his scientific work and the Olympics.

Professor Xie Hua'an from Chinese Academy of Sciences, said, "Carrying out scientific research requires perseverance and dedication, as well as a passion for work. The Olympic torch represents a similar spirit. I think both scientists and athletes have one thing in common-the courage to continually surpass yourself."

CCTV reporter Liu Ying said, "This paddy field is where Professor Xie cultivates the hybrid rice seeds he has developed. Many of the fruits of his research have come from this 10-hectare test area."

The rice expert spends at least half of each year working in the fields. Born into a local farmer's family, Xie knows what it's like to experience hunger and has witnessed the despair of farmers after poor harvest crops. Ensuring that all Chinese people have enough to eat was the goal that motivated him to devote himself to the cause of rice-breeding.

This cause is particularly important in order to safeguard the food security strategy for the world's most populous country. Hybrid rice is currently grown on more than half of China's 30-million hectares of paddy fields each year. Professor Xie says that percentage will only increase to meet the demand of consumption. And cultivating better hybrid rice is his goal.

Professor Xie Hua'an said, "Our present target is to create a 'super rice strain'. This kind of rive strain will be of higher quality, more disease-resistant and can yield higher output. Such a strain will help boost the grain output, and, at the same time, increase farmers' income."

The 67-year-old hybrid rice expert is still thinking of surpassing himself. Already he has his next target- to cultivate a new strain of rice that can be stored for several years. And he hopes to achieve initial success by 2010. It would mean another great leap forward for China's hybrid rice development.

(CCTV May 12, 2008)