On May 10, 2012, Vice Foreign Minister and head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) poverty alleviation leading group Song Tao hosted a commemorative event on the 20th anniversary of the MFA's poverty alleviation undertaking. More than 300 guests were invited to the event, including the MFA's honorary ambassador of poverty alleviation Le Aimei, all the members of the MFA poverty alleviation leading group, officials of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development and Yunnan Provincial Poverty Alleviation Office and Foreign Affairs Office, foreign diplomats in China and representatives of Chinese and foreign businesses, social organizations and overseas Chinese. Song delivered a speech to express appreciation to the guests. Deputy head of the MFA's poverty alleviation leading group and Director-General of the General Office Li Huilai announced the decision of appointing Le Aimei as the MFA's honorary ambassador of poverty alleviation. Le made a speech later.

Song recalled the major achievements of the MFA poverty alleviation over the past 20 years and expressed great respect and heartfelt thanks to all the friends for their support and assistance. Over 20 years, they have been truly devoted to the undertaking of poverty alleviation and spared no efforts to promote poverty alleviation with a pioneering spirit. So far, the MFA has spent RMB266 million on more than 1,200 poverty alleviation projects which have benefited over 300,000 people in the two counties and made unique contributions to the local development. At the end of last year, the State Council designated the MFA poverty alleviation leading group as the "national-level advanced collective of poverty alleviation and development", fully recognizing the MFA's poverty alleviation efforts. The MFA for the first time invited foreign diplomats to visit Jinping County last year and successfully held the Love Knows No Boundary – International Charity Sale, building an important bridge of philanthropy and friendship. He believes that people in the poverty-stricken areas will be able to live a happy life with the help of the society.

Le is very pleased to continue to serve as the MFA's honorary ambassador of poverty alleviation. Since she participated in the poverty alleviation work, she has felt keenly that the MFA leaders attach great importance to and comrades take active part in the poverty alleviation work. In particular, under the direct leadership of Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao and with the joint efforts of all comrades in recent years, the MFA's poverty alleviation undertaking has achieved greater results, become better known in the society and benefited a larger number of people in the two counties. She will continue to make contributions to poverty alleviation and at the same time calls on the Chinese and foreign friends to continue to support the MFA's poverty alleviation so as to lift people in the two counties out of poverty at an early date and contribute to the cause of international poverty reduction.

Chinese and foreign guests expressed great appreciation for the MFA's poverty alleviation efforts. They believe such efforts are dedicated and innovative and have achieved fruitful results and benefited the local people significantly. They will strengthen poverty alleviation cooperation with the MFA to push for greater progress of the poverty alleviation undertaking. An exhibition on the MFA's poverty alleviation achievements was held on the site.