Ambassador of China to the UN FAO Guang Defu held a meeting with Ambassador Cindy McCain, the new Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture via video on Feb. 8, 2022 at the invitation of the US side. The two sides conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on deepening multilateral exchanges and cooperation within the UN food and agricultural system. 

Ambassador Guang Defu, who is also Permanent Representative of China to FAO, briefed about China’s tremendous achievements in food security and poverty reduction. China has seen bumper harvests for 18 consecutive years, and its annual grain output has stayed above 650 million tonnes for seven consecutive years. China has also achieved remarkable results in poverty alleviation. Since the implementation of reform and opening up policy, 770 million people have been lifted out of poverty, which is not only a milestone in China’s development but also a major event in the history of global poverty alleviation.  

Ambassador Guang Defu stated that FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-2031 lays a solid foundation for realizing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, “no poverty,” and SDG 2, “zero hunger,” in the coming critical decade. China and the US should work together to support FAO in achieving the SDGs by focusing on the “four betters” (i.e., better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life), and the 20 Programme Priority Areas. 

Ambassador Cindy McCain acknowledged China’s remarkable achievements in ensuring food security and eradicating poverty. She said China and the US share the same philosophy and broad common interests. She said the two countries should strengthen multilateral cooperation within the UN food and agricultural system, and promote cooperation in areas such as climate change, water utilization, S&T innovation, and bioenergy. She expressed her hope that China could step up its support for the World Food Programme. She also hoped the two countries would be frank with each other, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and seek common ground while putting aside differences, so as to make due contribution to the well-being of people around the world.