Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, during the UN General Assembly this week, emphasizing the critical role of non-governmental cooperation in advancing US-China relations. The high-level dialogue comes as both nations seek pathways to stabilize ties amid global economic and health challenges.
Li acknowledged the foundation's decades-long work in global health and poverty reduction, stating: "China stands ready to expand cooperation across the entire health chain through platforms like Beijing's Global Health Drug Discovery Institute." The premier highlighted China's growing capabilities in medical innovation and disease control systems as potential drivers for joint initiatives.
The meeting underscored China's strategic approach to health diplomacy, with Li proposing trilateral cooperation models involving developing countries. "Our collaboration should transcend bilateral benefits to address global inequities in healthcare access," he noted, positioning China as a bridge between advanced medical research and underserved populations.
Gates reciprocated the enthusiasm, praising China's technological advancements in AI and healthcare while committing to "substantive cooperation in global health, particularly through South-South partnerships." The Microsoft co-founder described US-China relations as "indispensable for solving humanity's greatest challenges," signaling alignment with Beijing's multilateral development vision.
Analysts observe this exchange reflects China's growing emphasis on "track two diplomacy" through private-sector channels, particularly in sectors less affected by geopolitical tensions. The dialogue concluded with both parties agreeing to leverage existing research centers in Beijing and Shanghai as innovation hubs for global health solutions.
