On September 25, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Bill Gates, chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on the sidelines of the a high-level U.N. meeting for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in New York.

During the talks, Wen appreciated Gates for closely following and promoting settlement of issues concerning development over the years. The current turbulence in the international economic and financial situation, sharp increases in oil prices and food supply shortage have made things more difficult for developing countries, especially the poor ones, Wen said. He added the high-level U.N. meeting for the MDGs has been held at the right time, and it is necessary for all the parties to seriously evaluate the implementation of the MDGs and summarize experience to increase aid for poor countries.

Expressing admiration for the efforts that China has made in solving problems in development, Gates said his foundation would like to enhance cooperation with China on poverty alleviation and disease control and prevention in Africa.