Chinese President Xi Jinping met with representatives at an event in Beijing marking the 60th anniversary of China dispatching its inaugural international medical aid team. During the event, 30 outstanding groups and 60 outstanding individuals in foreign aid medical work were recognized for their contributions. President Xi expressed his regards to all individuals currently or formerly involved in foreign medical aid missions, engaging in conversations and posing for photos with medical workers.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, speaking at the commendation event, highlighted the significant importance the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee places on foreign medical aid missions. He encouraged medical workers to uphold the spirit of China’s medical teams, emphasizing their role in contributing to the establishment of a global health and wellness community.
According to data from the National Health Commission (NHC), China has sent nearly 30,000 medical aid workers to 76 countries and regions, treating close to 300 million patients. The nation has also played a pivotal role in constructing 130 healthcare facilities overseas and providing training to 100,000 local medical professionals. He Zhaohua, deputy head of NHC’s international cooperation department, highlighted that China is the sole country continuously dispatching overseas medical aid groups over the past six decades. These enduring partnerships are built on principles of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, China swiftly dispatched 38 teams of medical experts to 34 countries to combat the virus. Additionally, China declared vaccines a global public good and has provided over 2.2 billion doses to more than 120 countries and international organizations. He Zhaohua underscored China’s commitment to global health initiatives and cooperation.