BEIJING — President Xi Jinping delivered a written speech at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security, which was held on Nov 12 in Beijing.

In his speech, Xi noted that food security is fundamental to human survival. Half a century ago, hybrid rice was first successfully developed and planted widely in China. Thanks to this technology, China has managed to feed nearly 20 percent of the world's population with less than 9 percent of the world's arable land, and become the largest food producer and the third largest food exporter in the world.

From 1979, hybrid rice began to be introduced to the world, benefiting nearly 70 countries across five continents. This has been a remarkable contribution to their grain output increase and agricultural development, and offered a Chinese solution to food shortages in developing countries, Xi said.

At present, global food security faces severe challenges and complexities, China will continue to work with all countries in a spirit of solidarity and shared future to advance the Global Development Initiative, scale up cooperation on food security and poverty reduction, and make greater contribution to the speedy implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to building a world free from hunger and poverty, said the Chinese president.