BEIJING – Following an awe-inspiring morning visit to Beijing Aerospace City, entrepreneurs from Alliance Institute proceeded directly to COFCO Group in the afternoon. As a pillar enterprise founded the same year as the People's Republic of China, COFCO hosted the delegation for an in-depth study tour themed "From Skyward Quests to Grain Security: Exploring the Foundations of National Livelihood." Moving from the aerospace hub that looks to the stars to the grain reserves that stay grounded, the students experienced the interplay between national strategic technological power and the safeguarding of people's livelihoods within a single day.
Established in 1949, COFCO Group has grown alongside New China for over 75 years. Always adhering to its core mission of being "Devoted to National Welfare and Committed to People's Livelihood," the company has evolved from a single grain and oil import-export entity into a global agribusiness giant, providing food products to nearly one-quarter of the world's population.
In the afternoon, the entrepreneurs arrived at COFCO's bread baking and processing base in Beijing. At this food industrial park, which integrates modern production with research and development, the trainees first stepped into the corporate culture exhibition hall, embarking on an exploration of the historical trajectory of this "national grain depot."
In the history hall, guides traced the timeline of COFCO's journey. From the difficult early years when "truckloads of rice and wheat were exchanged for industrial infrastructure," to the innovative breakthroughs after Reform and Opening Up—such as introducing Coca-Cola to China and brewing the country's first dry white wine—the narrative continued to the 1993 launch of the first "Fulinmen" packaged edible oil, sparking a kitchen revolution. Today, this has expanded into a global agricultural and food industry chain. Historical photographs and artifacts vividly illustrated the mission to "hold the Chinese people's rice bowl firmly in their own hands." At the "Fulinmen" brand exhibition, participants reflected on how a state-owned enterprise has supported the nation's historic leap from "having enough to eat" to "eating well."
Then moved to a highly anticipated mooncake-making experience. In a spacious baking classroom, master pastry chefs had prepared dough, fillings, and molds. Participants donned hygienic baking attire and, under meticulous guidance, embarked on a journey to learn this traditional craft. From kneading dough and measuring fillings to wrapping and molding, each step embodied meticulous craftsmanship. Although many were first-timers, through mutual assistance, mooncakes adorned with traditional patterns gradually took shape, filling the air with the aroma of sweet bean paste and lotus seed paste. This immersive practice allowed everyone to experience the joy of handmade creation and touch the warmth of traditional Chinese food culture.
The highlight of the event was an in-depth tour of the modern dessert production workshop. Before entering, strict disinfection procedures served as the "first lesson"—donning special work attire, masks, and gloves, followed by hand disinfection and air shower purification. Inside, guides introduced COFCO's advanced SAP production management system: by simply inputting product names and order quantities, the system automatically calculates raw material requirements and generates production schedules. This enables intelligent control throughout the entire process, from raw material screening and mixing to baking and packaging. Through the observation corridor, participants witnessed the efficient operation of fully automated production lines, where the transformation from flour to finished product occurs quietly in a temperature- and humidity-controlled clean environment. Here, the power of technological innovation is manifested in the safety and quality of food on every plate. To ensure freshness, the workshop maintains a 0-4°C low-temperature environment and employs rapid freezing technology, locking in flavor while ensuring stable distribution across the country.
This visit served as both an on-site lesson on the "from field to table" industrial chain and a profound understanding of the national food security strategy. Participants reflected that while the morning at Aerospace City showcased the patriotic ambition of "overcoming critical challenges," the afternoon at COFCO revealed the commitment to people's livelihood that "nourishes silently." Quest for the sky and quest for grain—though seemingly different fields—share the same roots: both use technological innovation as their engine and patriotic sentiment as their foundation, playing respective roles in the grand blueprint of national development.
