Tianjin says it will accelerate construction work on its storage facilities, with plans to expand its grain and oil storage from 1 million tons (2014) to 1.8 million tons by 2016, according to Gao Bin, a Municipal People's Congress member and the Tianjin Municipal Grain and Oil Group's GM.

The issue was part of a discussion during the 3rd session, 16th Tianjin People's Congress, on Jan 31, with Gao noting that, this year, his company will help ensure national grain security and develop more modern storage facilities in accordance with a State Council decision.

He said the company will focus on grain storage facilities in Lingang and Jinghai National Repositories and complete them as soon as possible. It will also work on 20,000 square meters of underground storage that is able to store 227,200 tons of grain in the southern area of the Jinghai National Repository and make sure it is completed by the end of the year.

The company also says it will do more to promote food safety in the production of steamed buns and noodles and make sure they get to various communities, markets, school canteens and enterprises.