The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian agency addressing the challenges of global hunger and malnutrition. Established in 1961, WFP pursues a vision of a zero-hunger world, in which every man, woman, boys and girls has year-round access to nutritious food. On average, WFP reaches more than 90 million people with food assistance initiatives in about 80 countries each year.

In 2020, the Chinese Government announced the elimination of extreme poverty in rural areas, an achievement highly acknowledged for China's strong commitment and significant progress to poverty eradication in all forms and dimensions. 

Recognising China's tremendous achievements in reducing hunger and the importance of sharing experience with other developing countries, WFP and the Government of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2016 to strengthen the partnership towards ending global hunger. The establishment of the WFP Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation ushers the cooperation between WFP and the Government of China into a new era.

WFP China's engagement is underpinned by four pillars, namely, 1) South-South Cooperation, under the brand of Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation, for global food security and development, 2) Domestic Programme to support China's rural development, 3) Partnership to seek support from both public and private sectors, and 4) UN Humanitarian Response Hub/Depot to support the global emergency responses, including the current global fight against COVID-19 for UN, national governments, and other humanitarian partners, aiming to end hunger and malnutrition.