Vice Minister Yu Xinrong held a meeting with FAO Deputy Director-General Daniel Gustafson during Yu's visit to the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy on 11 August 2017.
Vice Minister Yu conveyed Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu's greetings to FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and Deputy Director-General Daniel Gustafson. Yu said that China highly values friendly relations with FAO and is willing to deepen cooperation in a comprehensive and strategic manner under the Belt and Road Initiative. Referring to South-South Cooperation (SSC), he hoped that FAO could increase organizational and financial support to SSC and intensify efforts in inspecting, guiding and promoting existing SSC projects. He also suggested that FAO facilitate protection of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) which will in return invigorate modern agriculture development. The two sides also had in-depth discussions on enhancing human resources cooperation and strengthening the role of FAO Representation in China.
On behalf of FAO, Mr. Gustafson extended appreciation to China for its significant contribution to world agricultural development, and hailed its support to and leadership role in SSC.
H.E. Niu Dun, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of China to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture, and Mr. Wang Ren, Assistant Director General of FAO'S Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, also attended the meeting.