FAO's New Chinese Head: Vice Minister Qu Dongyu elected as Director General

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The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization will have its first Chinese chief. Qu Dongyu was elected as Director-General of the FAO on Sunday at the agency's highest decision-making conference in Rome.

ENZO BENECH CHAIRPERSON OF THE FAO CONFERENCE "Qu Dongyu from China, 108."

The new FAO leader promises that he will make rural areas around the world more attractive and farmers happier. He will succeed Brazil's José Graziano da Silva and begins his four-year term in August.

JOSÉ GRAZIANO DA SILVA OUTGOING DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FAO "I would like to hand to you your FAO badge so that you can enter the organization whenever you want."

The FAO has over 11,500 employees and works with other agencies within the UN to achieve the goal of a hunger-free world by 2030. Qu Dongyu, an expert in agriculture, aims to reduce hunger and poverty on a worldwide scale.

With a PhD in genetics and breeding, the biologist spent years working in biotechnology research and was awarded a prize for Outstanding Contributions to the World Potato Industry. He became Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2015. Before that, he was vice chairman of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and vice president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing.

QU DONGYU NEWLY ELECTED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FAO "Now the election is over, and duty is on my shoulder. As FAO DG elected, I'll be committed to be our original aspiration, and missions of the organization, take my responsibility and supervision."

Some analysts say Qu's Chinese background will be a great advantage for the food agency.

HAN CHANGFU CHINESE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS "The successful election fully shows that FAO member countries' affirmation and confidence towards doctor Qu Dongyu himself. It shows their recognition of China's achievements in agricultural development and poverty eradication as well as the higher expectation of the international community for China to play a responsible role."