UN World Food Programme (WFP) will work with China to take the country's experiences in fighting hunger to the world, WFP executive director David Beasley said during a visit to China.
"The first and most important purpose of my trip is to say thank you to China for the effort in ending hunger around the world," Beasley said in an interview with Xinhua on Monday.
Beasley started his first visit to China as WFP chief on Nov. 19, seven months after he was appointed head of the agency.
China could play a significant role because it had proven itself by ending hunger for millions of people in the last 30 years, said Beasley.
"China doesn't just talk about it. It acts. It gets it done. We're looking forward to partnering with China in many different ways."
He said the most important was to share expertise and technology. "It's one thing to give someone food, and it's another thing to teach them how to grow their own food. We've gone from saving lives to producing livelihoods."
In recent years, China has been helping regions suffering from poverty, natural disasters, conflict and war with technology and advice.
"How do we turn humanitarian funds into development opportunities? This is the way China thinks. This is the partnership we're looking for," said Beasley.
According to a recent UN report, the number of people facing hunger in the world increased to 815 million in 2016, up from 777 million in 2015.
Beasley said conflict and war were the root cause. He called on all countries to put down their weapons and to work together.
"The WFP can play a unique role of bringing countries together to address hunger, as well as reduce tensions and conflicts, so that there can be peace," said Beasley.
