China's global health efforts: Building a community of health for all

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind by China.

Beyond outlining a hopeful vision for humanity, it has also provided practical pathways and action plans.

Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed China's remarkable progress in public health. 

Average life expectancy – a key measure of a nation's health level – has increased from 35 years in 1949 to 79 years in 2024 in China. Severe infectious diseases such as smallpox, polio and malaria have been eradicated. 

China has also been sharing its public health achievements with the world, staying true to the vision of building a global community of health for all.

China's medical aid to foreign countries is a vivid manifestation.

By the end of 2023, China had dispatched over 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions, providing medical services to nearly 300 million patients and assisting in the construction of more than 130 medical and health facilities.

Since sending its first medical team to aid Algeria in 1963, Chinese medical teams abroad have significantly contributed to global public health.

China has so far established medical partnerships with 46 institutions in 41 countries and regions, and built 25 key clinical specialty centers.

In Africa, for instance, by the end of July 2024, Chinese medical teams in Sudan and Malawi had treated around 8.47 million outpatients and 459,400 inpatients, performing 253,400 surgeries.

Beyond treatment, Chinese medical teams also share their expertise and medical technology with local doctors.

Statistics show that Chinese medical teams abroad have trained over 100,000 local medical personnel, significantly enhancing the healthcare expertise in recipient countries and earning immense appreciation.

Although Chinese medical teams cannot stay there indefinitely, the methods and technologies they introduce continue to benefit the locals.

For example, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was introduced by Chinese medical teams to overseas. In many countries, acupuncture has become a popular choice for patients.

Today, TCM has spread to 196 countries and regions, with more than one-third of the world's population having received TCM treatment.

Over the years, the Chinese government has worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to integrate traditional medicine into the global health system.

China has signed TCM cooperation agreements with over 40 governments, regional authorities and international organizations, establishing 30 high-quality overseas TCM centers in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, the WHO has included traditional medicine, with TCM as the mainstay, in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases.

China plans to train over 1,300 foreign professionals in TCM over the next three years, according to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The initiative aims to promote international exchanges and enhance the expertise of professionals in the field.