Source: Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Updated: 2013-8-19
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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with delegates attending the Ministerial Forum of the China-Africa Health Development in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 16, 2013. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) |
BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China will continue to promote cooperation with African countries on health and development initiatives.
China will continue to send medical teams and cataract surgery experts to Africa and will deepen cooperation and health personnel training in maternal and child health care, Xi said when meeting with African representatives for a health forum on Friday.
Representatives from African countries and international organizations gathered in Beijing for the Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Health Development.
"Human development is at the core of development. We hope this forum will substantially push forward health cooperation between China and Africa," Xi said.
For the past five decades, China has sent medical teams totaling 18,000 people to Africa and relieved 250 million people from pain and disease, according to Xi.
Xi thanked relevant international organizations for their support of China and African health development and their contribution to global health equality. China will continue to support international organizations and actively engage in international health governance, Xi said.
Recalling the lasting friendship between China and Africa, Xi said the relationship has weathered the test of a changing international landscape and gained sincerity and trust.
China-Africa relations have entered a fast track for development since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, accompanied by increased mutual trust, pragmatic cooperation and closer coordination in international affairs, he said.
Representing Africa, Comoros Vice President Fouad Mohadji thanked the Chinese government's long-term support of health and poverty eradication initiatives on the continent, saying the forum helps to strengthen mutually beneficial relations between Africa and China.
Margaret Chan, director-general of World Health Organization, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe, and the U.N. Population Fund Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin also attended the forum.
