Rice culture connects Asian countries

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

 ◆ Rice culture connects Asian countries

Rice is not only the world's most popular food, but also the common link among Asian countries which helped to develop the region's unique rice culture, said experts attending the International Rice Congress here.

Rice has provided a cultural base for Asian countries such as China, India, and Indonesia and has provided for the subsistence of 2.6 billion people, said Angeline Kamba, chairwoman of the board of trustees of the International Rice Research Institute.

China was one of rice's principle places of origin, with a history dating back 7,000 years. China had made rice part of its traditional planting culture.

China's rice culture along the Yangtze River had a great influence on neighboring countries. Around 300 B.C., immigrants from southern China brought their rice planting technology and culture to Japan, said Xuan Songnan, an expert from the Chinese Rice Research Institute.

He said Chinese rice also had a great influence on the social and economic development of Southeast Asian countries.

The importance of rice was derived not only from its nutritional value, but also because it was part of the traditional religion and social rituals of Asian countries, said Peter Kenmoore, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

He said rice had begun to gain popularity in Africa, America and other regions. Many high-income countries in Europe and North America considered rice a healthy and tasty food. Rice would tie more nations in the 21st Century.