“Silk Road of health cooperation”

health at a global level is an important component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In his speech to the Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek Supreme Assembly on June 22, 2016, President Xi proposed expanding cooperation in health under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, that is, jointly building a Silk Road of health cooperation, by strengthening information sharing on a range of measures including communicable diseases, disease prevention and control, medical relief and assistance, and exchanges on traditional medical research. On January 18, the Chinese Government and the World Health Organization signed a memorandum of understanding to this end.

A Silk Road of health cooperation aims to improve public health in countries along the Belt and Road. Key measures include increased consultation and exchanges on health policy issues, building institutions, defining international health standards and norms, enhanced cooperation in disease prevention and control, and training and capacity building.

Efforts will also be stepped up to facilitate global access to high-quality and affordable China-made pharmaceutical products beneficial to people around the world.