Alain Mérieux is the head of the Mérieux Foundation. It has been committed to combating infectious diseases for over half a century. Also, it is among the organizations that helped build and strengthen the relationship between China and France. Alain first came to China in 1978, and the foundation has been involved in China's healthcare sector development ever since. On December 18, 2018, he received the 'China Reform Friendship Medal' from Chinese President Xi Jinping, for his contributions in China's reform and opening-up.