Below is the SCO Secretary-General's letter addressed to Dr Yuan Longping's colleagues and family:
Li Xiaohong,
President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
Dear Li Xiaohong,
On behalf of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretariat and on my own behalf, I would like to offer deep condolences to the family and the colleagues of the outstanding scientist, Yuan Longping, holder of the Chinese Order of the Republic, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director-General of the China National Hybrid Rice R&D Centre, over his sudden death.
Yuan Longping was an internationally renowned agronomist, known as the ‘Father of Hybrid Rice.' Due to his dedication to improving the lives of people, not only in China, but all over the world, he nobly shared the success of his projects with other nations. He contributed to eradicating poverty and enhancing food security in China and many other countries. His death is a huge loss for the academic community.
Once again, I pay my sincere respect to the blessed memory of Yuan Longping, and may he rest in peace.

In 1991, Yuan Longping became the UN's chief international food and agriculture consultant.
The different varieties of hybrid rice he bred are grown in more than 20 countries. The total crop area of hybrid rice cultivated around the world exceeds 20 million hectares.