Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss food security on the sidelines of the World Summit on Food Security, which opened?in Rome?on Monday.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (L) meets with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Rome, capital of Italy, Nov. 16, 2009. On behalf of the Chinese Government, Hui Liangyu attended the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Summit which opened Monday.[Chen Haitong/Xinhua]

Hui said the international community is facing the common challenge of food security, adding that the summit is of major significance for all countries to enhance public concerns and take right actions on agricultural development and food security.

The United Nations has been playing an irreplaceable role in undertaking major responsibility for world peace and development, Hui said.

China will continue to firmly support the United Nations in playing a greater part in international affairs, he added.

Ban said China's participation is very important for guaranteeing global food security, adding that China's participation is necessary in tackling all international issues including food security and climate change.

Hui is?in Rome?to attend the three-day summit at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters at the invitation of FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf.