China lies in four AEZs, all of which are subtropical and include some temperate areas. Rice is produced primarily in AEZs 6 and 7. The climate types are so varied and complex that high rainfall, cold waves, and typhoons are important climatic phenomena. China can be divided from the coastal areas to the northwest interior into four regions according to moisture regime.
China is the most populous country in the world.
The 1995 population of the 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and centrally administered municipalities on the mainland was nearly 1.2 billion. Importance of rice Rice is the staple food of China. Because the domestic rice requirement will continue to rise over the long term, China concentrates on increased rice production to meet the growing needs of its population. The distribution of rice in China tends to be regional and discontinuous because of topography and weather. In southeastern China, high temperature and adequate rainfall make an ideal environment for rice during a long growth period.