BEIJING - Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said on Friday in Beijing that China would uphold a policy of food self-sufficiency.

Hui made the remarks while meeting with Dacian Ciolos, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Hui said meeting the food demand of 1.3 billion Chinese people was the principal issue faced by the Chinese government.

China will stick to a policy of relying on domestic supply and realizing food self-sufficiency in regards to food security, he said, adding that China would offer food assistance to the international community when it is within its power to do so.

He called on countries around the world to take the food security issue into account and make joint efforts to safeguard global food security.

During the meeting, Hui praised the rapid development of China-EU relations as well as bilateral agricultural cooperation.

Noting that agricultural cooperation has become an important part of the strategic partnership between China and the EU, he hoped both sides would take advantage of the China-EU Dialogue on Agriculture and Rural Development to expand agricultural cooperation,

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He also hoped both sides could maintain communication and coordination in multilateral organizations such as Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health.

Ciolos said the European Commission was willing to strengthen multi-channel and multi-level communication and cooperation with China in agriculture in an effort to promote common development and jointly guarantee global food security.

The commissioner led a delegation of 30 top executives from leading European food and drink companies.

The trip was meant to generate interest in quality European products amongst Chinese consumers and seek Chinese cooperation in mutually recognizing products with geographical indications.