3D map of China planned by 2035

China plans to create a map of the country with real-scene 3D technology by 2035, featuring geological conditions, city landscapes and specific buildings to further support social and economic development, a senior natural resources official said on Thursday.

Liu Guohong, vice-minister of natural resources and deputy general supervisor of national natural resources, told a news conference the map will be a national strategic resource in the digital age.

"By integrating with other big data, the real-scene 3D map can help to boost the development of the digital economy, such as the low-altitude economy, intelligent driving systems and smart agriculture," Liu said at the news conference on promoting high-quality development in the natural resources and forestry and grassland sectors, which was organized by the State Council Information Office.

A map featuring geological conditions can significantly cut the surveying workload during the construction of railways and highways, he said. Liu added that administrators can use a map featuring real-scene 3D landscapes of a city with precise details, such as the shapes of the roofs of buildings, to manage the city more intelligently and better make plans for the low-altitude economy.

Real-scene 3D technology can also be used to document the details of historical buildings and cultural relics, Liu said.

"In the future, the real-scene 3D map of China will cover a wider range of areas and be more precise after it's initially created in 2035," he said.

Liu said China has seen a net increase in the total area of farmland for three consecutive years, reversing years of shrinking. Since 2021, the total area of the country's farmland has expanded by 1.17 million hectares.

He attributed the significant achievement to the country's sustained efforts to focus on farmland as the lifeline of grain production, improved measures in carrying out reforms and an accountability mechanism regarding farmland protection.

China continues to prioritize grain security as it feeds over 1.4 billion people with only 9 percent of the world's arable land. Various measures have been implemented to improve grain output, including building more high-standard farmland and promoting agricultural technologies.

The country reported its largest grain output increase in nine years this summer, driven by a bumper wheat harvest.

Xinhua contributed to this story.