Promoting Food Security for the Benefit of the World

Promoting Food Security for the Benefit of the World

Address by H. E. Wang Yi

State Councilor and Foreign Minister

12 November 2022

Excellencies,

Friends,

It is my great pleasure to attend the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security.

The congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping underscores the great importance he attaches to world food security.

At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China which was successfully concluded not long ago, China expressed its readiness to make new contributions to the development of humanity with Chinese modernization and create new opportunities for the world with its own development. China also made it clear that it is prepared to invest more resources in global development cooperation and is committed to assisting other developing countries in accelerating development.

Friends,

Hybrid rice is a monument in China's history of agricultural science and technology. It has not only helped China realize the miracle of food self-sufficiency, but also contributed significantly to easing food shortages around the world.

Since 1979, China has conducted research on hybrid rice and promoted its planting in nearly 70 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the South Pacific, and trained more than 14,000 professionals from over 80 developing countries. All this has visibly boosted local grain output. Mr. Yuan Longping, "Father of Hybrid Rice", dedicated his whole life to advancing the well-being of the people around the world through this technology. Today, more Chinese scientists are following his footsteps and working tirelessly to help upgrade agricultural technologies in developing countries.

Friends,

Hybrid rice cooperation is a vivid example of China's staunch support to world food security. It is also a fascinating story of common development of China and the world.

The Chinese government has been providing emergency food assistance to countries in need, benefiting tens of millions of people affected by disasters in more than 40 countries over the past five years. This year alone, we have sent 35,000 tons of food assistance to 18 countries.

Of all developing countries, China takes the lead in the amounts of assistance funding provided, projects conducted, and experts sent under the FAO framework.

Friends,

Food is the foundation of human survival. Food security of the world today faces new challenges due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather and geopolitical conflicts. China has made food security a priority in implementing the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. At this year's G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, China formally put forward an eight-point initiative on international food security cooperation. We will work with the international community to make multi-pronged efforts throughout the supply, transport, trade and storage process to earnestly safeguard global food security. To this end, China will take the lead in the following six areas:

First, since we have upgraded the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and officially launched Phase III of the China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund, we will ensure that the two funds will play their roles to the fullest extent.

Second, we will sign agreements with the FAO on cooperation in digital and innovative agricultural financing, animal and plant disease prevention and control, and sustainable soil and water resource management.

Third, we will continue sharing practical agricultural technologies such as hybrid rice and Juncao with interested countries, providing technology and experience support in the production, processing, storage, loss and waste management, logistics, and trade of food, and engaging in agricultural technological innovation cooperation.

Fourth, we will provide 10,000 agricultural training opportunities to developing countries in the coming three years.

Fifth, we will follow through on the emergency humanitarian assistance commitments announced by President Xi Jinping, and continue to provide emergency food assistance to countries in need.

Sixth, we will encourage more Chinese companies to invest in agricultural production and processing in Africa, and through the initiative of "100 companies in 1,000 villages", help create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve livelihood for rural households in Africa.

Friends,

The right to subsistence is the most basic of all human rights, and to be free from hunger is one of the most important subsistence rights. Safeguarding food security and freeing all people from hunger is the common responsibility of all countries and the entire international community. China stands ready to work with all countries and international organizations to make greater contributions to world food security and to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.