Ambassador of China to the UN FAO Guang Defu met with Valerie N. Guarnieri, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) via video on Feb. 9, 2022 at the invitation of the WFP. The two sides conducted an extensive and in-depth discussion on issues of common concern. 

Ambassador Guang Defu appreciated Guarnieri for her concern and support for cooperation between China and the WFP. He stated China has made remarkable progress in economic and social development over the past 40 years. GNI per capita increased from $312 in 1980 to $10,207 in 2019. In late 2020, China announced it had achieved the goal of eliminating extreme poverty in rural areas, based on poverty alleviation standards at the time. Despite this, China is still the largest developing country in the world, which is set down in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The Chinese Government has made ensuring the food supply for 1.4 billion Chinese people its top priority. Since 2015, China’s grain output has remained steady above 650 million tonnes, thus China has contributed greatly to global food security.  

Ambassador Guang Defu noted that China always attaches great importance to its cooperation with the WFP. The opening-up and development of China’s agriculture has benefited from WFP’s projects in China. Going forward, China will, under the guidance of global development initiatives, step up its cooperation with the WFP, and provide food aid and technical assistance to other developing countries through South-South and triangular cooperation.   

Guarnieri acknowledged China’s remarkable achievements, commended China’s efforts in overcoming various challenges, and expressed appreciation for China’s assistance to the international community. She said the WFP will continue strengthening cooperation with China, and share China’s successful experience with other developing countries through South-South and triangular cooperation.  

Counselor Ni Hongxing, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the FAO, and Philip Ward, Secretary to the WFP Executive Board, attended the meeting.