Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi,

Mr. Ben Botolo, Secretary to the Vice President and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

      Good morning! It gives me great honour and pleasure to come to Kasongu and attend this distribution ceremony of rice from China. First, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, for his presence of this ceremony despite his tight schedule. My appreciation also goes to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) for the thoughtful arrangements and the preparation of the ceremony.

      Last year, Malawi was stricken by flood and dry spell, which caused grave food shortage among Malawian people. This year, Malawian people are still faced with the challenge of food insecurity. According to the 2016/2017 Food Insecurity Response Plan, there are 6.5 million people in need of humanitarian aid in Malawi. As a true friend, brother and partner of Malawi, China is highly concerned about this as if it is experiencing it itself. Against this backdrop, the Chinese government has declared emergency food assistance to Malawi worth 7 billion Kwacha.

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      China is always faithful to its promise. With 7 billion Kwacha, we have donated 6585 metric tons of rice in total. Since the living condition of Malawian people is our top concern, all the procedures of the donation was done in the utmost speed. We are very proud to say that, China is not only one of the first country to response the calls made by the Malawi government for emergency food relief, China is also one of the first country to deliver our promise.

      What we care is not only the arrival of rice in Malawi, but also the arrival of rice to every household, to the most needed people, to every and each one of you present here, because it is you who are suffering from food shortage, it is you whom the Chinese government wants to help. With this in mind, a distribution ceremony is held today. I hope the rice can help you to live free from starvation.

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      The Malawian government attaches great importance to food security. Led by Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has conducted a lot to improve the living conditions of the disaster-hit people here in Malawi. China will, as always, offer a helping hand to Malawi whenever it is needed.

      Malawi is an agriculture-based country. It has a great potential to be a self-sufficient country in terms of food output. The Malawian government spares no effort to develop irrigation, multiple cropping and commercial farms. We are pleased that China is among the process of agriculture development here in Malawi. In the future, the Chinese government will continue and intensify its cooperation with the Malawian government. I am confident that very soon Malawi will shake off the problem of food insecurity and no one will ever suffer from starvation anymore!

      To conclude my remarks, I want to say it again that China and Malawi are good friends, we are brothers. China is always committed to the development of Malawi. You can count on us. I strongly believe that China and Malawi relations will become stronger and stronger, and our friendship will last forever.

      Thank you very much!