Address at the Opening Ceremony of Seminar on Prevention and Control of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases by Combined Therapy of Chinese and Western Medicine for Developing Countries

By Mr. Chen Runyun

Vice President

Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), MOFCOM

December 30^th, 2020

Distinguished Ambassador Cai Ge, Minister-Counselor Zhang Yijun, Director General Wu Zhendou, Vice President Wen Yandong,

My fellow participants from Eritrea, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Ukraine, and Vietnam,

Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen，

I'm very pleased to join you online today to participate in the opening ceremony of Seminar on Prevention and Control of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases by Combined Therapy of Chinese and Western Medicine for Developing Countries.Across the screen, I’m happy to see you all very well.

I would like to begin with, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of People’s Republic of China and its Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), extending warm welcome to all the seminar participants and guests here today, and expressing sincere congratulations on the opening of the seminar.

The past year witnessed the most serious pandemic in a century and also witnessed the joint efforts of the international community to fight against the epidemic. During China’s difficult time early this year, the foreign countries and international organizations gave China important assistance and solid support. When the virus sweeps across the world, despite the tremendous pressure of domestic epidemic control, China launched the largest-ever global humanitarian campaign in the history, and has provided anti-epidemic assistance to more than 150 countries and international organizations to the best of its ability. The great anti-epidemic effort and effect in international society has demonstrated that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the right way to prevail over the common challenges facing humanity, to build a more prosperous and better world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This seminar is focus on sharing China’s experience with participating countries in fighting against the pandemic COVID-19 , enhancing our cooperation in building a community of common health for mankind. Meanwhile, at the moment that the global pandemic prevention and control enters a critical stage, it is of practical significance to organize this seminar.

Xiyuan Hospital, the organizer of the seminar is a leading large-scale TCM hospital in China, and has made significant contributions to the prevention, control of the novel coronavirus at home and abroad. The expert teams of this Hospital have successfully aided the front-line hospitals of  Wuhan and other cities which hardest hit by COVID-19 earlier this year. Xiyuan Hospital also played an active role in international cooperation to fight the pandemic and accumulated a wealth of experience.

During the next 15 days, the experienced professionals from Xiyuan Hospital will share with you China's experience in the prevention and control of such infectious diseases as COVID-19. The seminar will also arrange a one-to-one session customized to each participating country to focus on your difficulties and problems encountered in the war on the pandemic.

Dear friends，

The opening of the seminar is the joint efforts of all the relevant parties of both Chinese government and your government. As the representative of the seminar sponsor, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to, my colleagues of Chinese Embassy in Eritrea, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Ukraine, and Vietnam, and to the project team of Xiyuan Hospital, thank you all for your hard work which made this event possible. My special thanks goes to 53 medical workers and health officials who participating this seminar, thank you for sparing time to participate this seminar at the busy occasion. I appreciate your trust on the seminar.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Winter can never block the coming of spring, just as night can never prevent the break of dawn. As President Xi Jinping said, "I am convinced that through solidarity and mutual assistance, we will prevail over this outbreak and we all will embrace a brighter future for mankind".

China will continue to enhance international cooperation in epidemic control and MOFCOM will sponsor more seminars like this to share China’s anti-epidemic and treatment experience with other countries.