President Xi Jinping’s Congratulatory Letter on FAO’s 80th Anniversary Generates Warm Responses
On October 16, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. In his letter, President Xi highly praised the significant achievements made by the FAO over the past 80 years and called for strengthened global food and agriculture governance, fully demonstrating China’s firm determination and historical responsibility in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Stakeholders noted that President Xi’s letter reflects great importance attached to the FAO and global food security, showcasing China’s sense of responsibility as a major country. All parties expressed willingness to work together with China and the FAO to make greater contributions to addressing global food security challenges and improving people’s well-being.
“Looking forward to further deepening South-South cooperation between FAO and China”
From October 13 to 17, the 2025 World Food Forum hosted by the FAO was held in Rome, Italy. This year’s forum coincides with the FAO’s 80th anniversary. President Xi pointed out in his letter that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has played an important role in ensuring global food security, promoting rural development and food system transformation, and improving living standards in various countries.
An FAO Assistant Director-General stated: “President Xi’s letter reflects high recognition and consistent support for the role played by the FAO, which is deeply inspiring. We look forward to further deepening South-South cooperation between the FAO and China, promoting the realization of the FAO’s strategic vision of ‘Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life.'”
The Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan noted that the spirit of cooperation reflected in the letter is impressive. “By learning from China’s experience and adapting it to local conditions, Uzbekistan’s agriculture has achieved rapid development. This effectively safeguards national and regional food security and is a vivid practice of the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity.”
The Ambassador of Colombia to UN Agencies in Rome and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development stated: “The development and cooperation willingness demonstrated in President Xi’s letter is very important for Latin American countries like Colombia. Colombia and China share common development needs and have great potential for cooperation in many areas.”
During this World Food Forum, a side event on China-Brazil poverty reduction and rural development was held at FAO headquarters. The First Lady of Brazil noted that Brazil and China jointly face the challenges of eliminating hunger and poverty, achieving numerous accomplishments in areas such as food production and social security. The practices of both countries prove that with firm belief and determined action, other developing countries can also succeed.
“Providing valuable experience and examples for other developing countries”
China has always been a firm supporter and active participant in global food and agriculture affairs. President Xi emphasized that the Chinese government attaches great importance to food security, insists on solving the food problem for over 1.4 billion people through its own efforts, and provides assistance to countries in need, contributing Chinese strength to ensuring global food security.
A manager from the African Development Bank’s Agribusiness Development Department recently concluded visits to China’s Hainan and Gansu provinces. He stated that China’s active cooperation with the African Development Bank and support for African agricultural development projects are very important for Africa’s agricultural development.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Solomon Islands noted that thanks to China’s assistance, Solomon Islands’ agriculture has achieved significant development. “I visited China’s Fujian province and learned firsthand about the tremendous changes President Xi brought to local rural development during his work in Fujian. These hard-won achievements inspire me to remain committed to poverty reduction work.”
During the forum, the FAO presented a certificate of recognition to the China-FAO-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project for its outstanding achievements. A senior official from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries stated that the project has significantly improved the production and living standards of local impoverished populations. “As a responsible major country, China’s influence is built on cooperation. Uganda highly values China’s Global Development Initiative and is willing to continuously promote agricultural cooperation with China under this framework.”
“The development transformations achieved by China in its vast rural areas provide valuable experience and examples for other developing countries.” An Assistant Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development highly praised China’s contributions to global agricultural development. “China safeguards global food security through active actions. China firmly supports South-South and triangular cooperation, playing an important role in promoting global agricultural and rural development, and contributing to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by Global South countries.”
A project manager from the International Fertilizer Development Center from Nigeria stated that President
