On January 11, 2011, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao who is head of the Leading Group on Poverty Alleviation of the Foreign Ministry held a poverty alleviation cocktail party. More than 300 participants were invited to the party, including Counselor Le Aimei who is the Honorary Ambassador of Poverty Alleviation of the Foreign Ministry, heads of departments of the Foreign Ministry, officials from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, Yunnan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and Poverty Alleviation Office, foreign diplomats in China and representatives of Chinese and foreign enterprises, social organizations and overseas Chinese.

Addressing the party, Song reviewed the Foreign Ministry's poverty alleviation achievements, profoundly elaborated the significance of the Foreign Ministry's poverty alleviation efforts and extended his highest respect and sincere thanks to all the organizations and individuals for their support and help. He pointed out that poverty alleviation is an ordinary yet lofty undertaking. It goes beyond the ethnic and language differences and even beyond the religious and national boundaries. Poverty alleviation aims at bringing hope and happiness, with love and action, to the poor people. The international financial crisis continued influencing the world economy deeply and China suffered disasters frequently last year. It is highly appreciated that all the friends under such circumstances still extended full support for the Foreign Ministry's poverty alleviation. Last year, the Foreign Ministry raised over RMB33 million poverty alleviation funds for the two poverty-hit counties, namely Jinping and Malipo, hitting a historical high. It allocated more than RMB21 million to the two counties and implemented 69 poverty alleviation projects, which was trusted and welcomed by the local governments and communities. China is developing rapidly, but it remains a developing country and faces serious problems of uneven regional economic development. Poverty in some regions of Yunnan province is vivid evidence. He appealed to make joint efforts to reduce poverty, fulfill commitment to the society, push forward China's poverty alleviation undertaking with love and action and contribute more to the social and economic development of poverty-stricken regions.

The Chinese and foreign guests all indicated that the Foreign Ministry's poverty alleviation is very fruitful and reflects the Ministry's capacity. They expect to cooperate with the Foreign Ministry more closely to promote its poverty alleviation undertaking.

Alongside with the cocktail party, an exhibition on the Foreign Ministry's poverty alleviation achievements was held.