Harbin Rice was awarded a gold medal at the 3rd International Rice Forum and the 1st International Rice Expo, which were held in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, from April 10 to 13, according to information released by Harbin’s grain bureau.

Harbin Rice, a rice brand recently launched by the Harbin Grain Bureau, consists of 610 regional rice brands, 159 of which have obtained honorary titles at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.

Famous rice brands in Harbin include Wuchang Daohuaxiang, Fangzheng Fuxi Rice, Tonghe Ecological Rice, and Yanshou Xiangmi.

Harbin Rice won the award as a result of the city’s pristine environment, the excellent quality of its rice, its long history of growing the crop, its unique cultivation methods, and its high sales volume.

Harbin, known throughout China for its high-quality rice, is located on a plain formed by the Songhua River. Fertile soil and abundant water and sunshine make it an ideal place for farming.

In 2018, 3.23 million tons of high-quality rice were produced in Harbin, valued at around 19.06 billion yuan ($2.84 billion), a year-on-year increase of 13.8 percent.

At the 1st International Rice Expo held in Sanya, more than 70 representatives from 26 rice-processing companies from Harbin’s six rice-producing areas, including Wuchang, Yanshou and Tonghe, attended the expo and showcased their quality rice products.

In the future, Harbin will continue promoting the Harbin Rice brand through the establishment of the Harbin Rice Industry Alliance, quality standards for Harbin rice, cooperation in rice-production, and marketing.

The 3rd International Rice Forum is held in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, on April 10. [Photo/people.cn]

Yuan Longping, China's "Father of Hybrid Rice", delivers a speech at the 3rd International Rice Forum in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, on April 10. [Photo/people.cn]

Exhibitors representing Harbin rice companies are pictured at the 1st International Rice Expo in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, on April 10. [Photo/people.cn]