Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday delivered through visual hookup a welcome address on the opening of the China Pavilion in Expo Milano 2015, which opened to the public on the very day.

In the welcome address, Xi first extended his warm welcome to all the visitors to the China Pavilion.

The Chinese president pointed out that Expo Milano is focused on agriculture and food -- a theme concerning the subsistence and development of every individual, and is therefore highly significant.

Since ancient times, the Chinese people have been of the belief that "Food is the paramount necessity of the people". As China is the largest developing country in the world, it is the primary mission in China's development to well solve the problem of how to feed the more than 1.3 billion people in the country, according to Xi.

For long, the Chinese people have relied on their own efforts in successfully solving this problem, laying a great foundation for the country's development, Xi said.

In the China Pavilion, visitors can learn about China's longstanding agricultural civilization, advanced scientific and technological achievements and rich catering culture, which are all important parts that constituting the Chinese civilization, the Chinese president added.

China attaches great importance to the issues of agriculture, rural areas and farmers, and deems them as a top priority in the entire work of the State. Now, as China is vigorously promoting the modernization of agriculture, it would like to exchange technology and know-how with all countries in agriculture, in jointly maintaining food security of the world, and in jointly promoting progress of human civilization, said Xi in the address.

The Chinese president concluded his welcome address by sending best regards to Expo Milan 2015, wishing it a success.

Themed "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life", Expo Milano 2015 is underway in Milan, Italy from May 1 to October 31, 2015, where 148 countries and international organizations are showing the best of their technology on food and agriculture.

It is the first time that China opens a self-built pavilion in a Universal Exhibition hosted abroad.