The International Symposium on the 60th Anniversary of China Dispatching the First China Medical Team to Africa was held jointly by China-Africa Institute (CAI) and the China National Health Development Research Center (TBC) on April 6, 2023 in Beijing. Fu Qiang, director general of TBC and the chief expert of the Institute for Development Strategies of Health and Population, Mr Hassane Rabehi, ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to China, Li Xinfeng, the executive president of the CAI made the opening remarks. Wang Xiaoming, vice president of the CAI presided over the opening ceremony.
Fu Qiang delivering a speech
Fu Qiang said, the first China Medical Team was dispatched to Algeria on April 6, 1963, marking the start of China’s medical aid to foreign countries. On February 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote a reply letter to the 19th China Medical Team dispatched to the Central African Republic, appreciating their hard work and setting up expectations. President Xi highly praised the China Medical Team for their persistent efforts and fruitful results in helping partner countries to improve their diagnostic and treatment skills.
Over the past 60 years, China Medical Teams are regarded as “angels in white” to save lives and also “messengers” to pass on friendship to local people, said Fu Qiang. The Chinese people love peace and cherish lives, which is vividly illustrated by their efforts in international medical assistance. Over the six decades, China has dispatched 30,000 medical team members to 76 countries and regions in Asia, Africa, America, Europe and Oceania. China Medical Teams have provided 290 million diagnoses and treatments for local people in all the countries mentioned above. Currently, China Medical Teams are located at 115 medical sites in 56 countries. Nearly half of them work hard in remote or poor, difficult or turbulent areas. Those Chinese doctors and medical specialists have played a significant humanitarian role in helping local people to improve their health care situation.
Fu Qiang highlighted that we should take the 60th anniversary as a new starting point, and continue to strengthen cooperation with all walks of life, make greater contributions to the building of a global community of health for all, and promote the implementation of Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We will work hard to better show China’s responsibilities as a major country and continue to inject strong vitality in South-South Cooperation.
Ambassador Hassane Rabehi delivering a speech
Ambassador Hassane Rabehi said at the opening ceremony of the symposium, this year, Africa and China mark the 60th anniversary of their cooperation in the medical field. Algeria is proud to have been the first country in Africa to which was sent the first China Medical Team in 1963. In my capacity as Ambassador of Algeria to China, I pay tribute to all China Medical Teams whose work in Africa has taken the medical cooperation between Africa and China to a higher level of hard work and recognition.
Through the years, Africa and China have forged close cooperation towards the improvement of the health condition of the African people. Some eminent sons and daughters of the great nation of China have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of health in the African Continent and many others have continued to make valuable contributions. Together with their African colleagues, the Chinese doctors have experienced and managed the diverse health and humanitarian challenges confronting Africa. I want to thank all China Medical Teams for the excellent support and the rich values, knowledge and experiences that they have shared with Africa over the past years, said Mr Hassane Rabehi.
I would like to end my talk by reiterating my gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their cooperation and friendship with Africa during the last 60 years in the field of health. This collaboration has resulted in tangible results for both parties. Algeria in particular and Africa in general are applauding the fruitful results of the ties with China and are highly appreciating the readiness of this great country to continue to work with them to address all health issues as they move into the new era of their collaboration, said Mr Hassane Rabehi.
Li Xinfeng delivering a speech
In the opening speech, Li Xinfeng noted that Africa faced severe challenges in its national healthcare 60 years ago when it was in the height of national liberation movement. Africa was in urgent need of medical support after a long period of colonial rule that had sabotaged its healthcare services. In the spirit of international humanitarianism, the Chinese government offered its help by sending its first medical team to Algeria in 1963.
The outstanding medical skills and excellence of the China Medical Teams had won praise from African governments and people. China Medical Teams did not only treat patients and save lives in Africa but also have touched the local people with their medical ethics and great love. The first China Medical Team to Algeria had met with the former Algerian president Ahmed Ben Bella who highly appreciated their work in the African country, said Li Xinfeng.
The symposium, organized by CAI and TBC, gathered scholars and experts from the politic circle, the academic community, and the healthcare community, embodying that CAI is playing its role as a cultural exchange platform. The work of the China Medical Teams is the most valuable asset for us, and CAI will take its responsibility to carry forward the spirit of China Medical Team, said Li Xinfeng.
Wang Xiaoming presiding over the opening ceremony
Participants of the symposium
Gan Ge delivering a speech
In the concluding speech, Gan Ge said, dispatching medical teams to African countries is one of the most extended cooperation projects between China and Africa, involving the most number of countries and achieving the most remarkable results, which also embodies China's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Members of the China Medical Team have not only expanded access to medical services for African countries and improved local medical and public health services, but promoted Chinese medical culture and health development concepts, boosting China-Africa friendship and cooperation. He said, think tanks and institutes in China should play their important role in providing advice on government affairs, public diplomacy, social service and leading public opinions.
Wang Lincong presiding over the closing ceremony
Wang Lincong, vice president of the CAI said in the closing ceremony, the symposium is a great success with scholars and experts telling stories that shed light on the spirit of the China Medical Teams. The work of the China Medical Team is a remarkable undertaking in the history and a reflection of the strong China-Africa ties. The symposium marks a new start and we will build consensus, pursue integrity and innovation and move forward to promote the building of a global community of heath for China and Africa.
Chinese and African scholars of the symposium
Venue of the symposium
The symposium was attended by about 60 people, including the ambassador of Algeria to China, officer-in-charge of the WHO China Office, members of the China Medical Team, experts, scholars and overseas students from Central African Republic, Angola, South Sudan, Madagascar, Mozambique and other African countries.
Venue of the symposium
(Photo by Dong Jiacheng)