China has signed a deal with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide health and farm technology to poor and developing countries.

Gates, co-founder of computer giant Microsoft, said Wednesday that the partnership shows the critical role that countries like China can play in new ways to cut hunger and poverty. He said China's support comes at a critical time in the world economic situation.

The plan with China includes developing new health and agricultural products and information technology for rural areas.

Gates says he will talk about the details of the agreement at the Group of 20 summit next week in Cannes, France.