Geneva, Switzerland — The Chinese delegation to the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA), commencing on Monday in Geneva, has pledged to deepen cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and nations worldwide to address global health governance and enhance collaborative efforts.
The WHA, the principal decision-making body of the WHO, brings together delegates from 194 member states each year to set the organization’s priorities and policies. The theme for this year’s assembly is “All for Health, Health for All.”
At a media briefing on Saturday, Cao Xuetao, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission (NHC) of China and leader of the delegation, emphasized China’s proactive role in international health organizations and regional cooperation. He highlighted China’s commitment to sharing valuable experiences with the global community.
“China is committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the health sector with the WHO and various countries, continuously promoting the construction of a global community of health for all,” Cao stated.
Commitment to Global Health
Cao underscored China’s longstanding dedication to fostering a global community of health for all. This dedication is evident in China’s active participation in international organizations and regional health collaborations, where it readily shares its experiences and expertise.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, China demonstrated its commitment by promptly reporting epidemic information nearly 3,000 times to the international community, including the WHO, relevant countries, and regional organizations. China also shared numerous technical documents on epidemic prevention, control, and treatment plans with over 160 countries and more than 10 international and regional organizations.
Furthermore, China conducted nearly 300 expert discussions or remote meetings, dispatched 38 anti-epidemic expert teams to 34 countries affected by the pandemic, and guided Chinese medical teams stationed in over 50 countries to assist in epidemic prevention and control efforts.
Prioritizing Public Health
Mi Feng, spokesperson for the NHC, highlighted the government’s strategic focus on public health and the pursuit of universal health coverage. “China has established the world’s largest healthcare service and medical security systems,” he noted during the press briefing.
Mi also discussed the Healthy China Initiative, which aims to enhance public health in China under an innovative public policy framework by 2030, and the country’s efforts toward achieving universal health coverage.
The Chinese delegation at the WHA plans to engage in technical discussions and consultations on two crucial international documents in which they have been deeply involved: the “Pandemic Agreement,” designed to improve global responses to future pandemics, and the revision of the International Health Regulations (2005), aiming to strengthen global health security through updated cooperation protocols.
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China aims to deepen global cooperation at 77th World Health Assembly
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