China and Russia: Teaming up for better health

China and Russia have been working closely together on healthcare, which is creating tangible results. Their cooperation covers many areas, including cancer treatment, infectious diseases, medical education, medical devices and traditional medicine.

Breakthroughs in cancer care

A standout example is the partnership between Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital (TMUCIH) and two major Russian institutions: the Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Together, they've made big strides in breast oncoplastic surgery and bone metastasis research, setting a new standard for international medical collaboration.

On May 15, the 8th Sino-Russian Joint Research Center for Oncoplastic Breast Surgery was held in Tianjin, north China. Leading experts from Russia and countries in Central Asia shared the latest techniques and ideas in the field. The deep cooperation between China and Russia, from joint research to sharing clinical know-how, highlighted the success of healthcare collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The joint research center for oncoplastic breast surgery was officially launched in 2019. In 2022, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to boost academic exchanges, training and joint projects. They also formed an international expert team on breast reconstruction and launched a public welfare program for patients.

In 2020, the two countries set up another joint research center for malignant bone metastases. Over the years, they've built a real-world database and created a new treatment model combining minimally invasive surgery with intraoperative radiotherapy. Their joint efforts have produced 35 SCI papers so far. Increasingly, young Russian doctors and students are now visiting China, adding a new chapter to this health cooperation story.

Fighting infectious diseases together

Infectious disease control is another key area of collaboration. The China-Russia Symposium on Infectious Diseases has been held every year since 2018, co-hosted by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza in Russia. It has become a vital platform for public health experts from both nations. The 8th symposium took place in St. Petersburg in November 2025. Over two days, experts discussed flu, TB, HIV/AIDS, disease modeling and more. 

The field of medical devices

Medical devices are also becoming a priority. In December 2025, the China-Russia Medical Device Industry Cooperation Conference was held at the International Medical Device City in Beijing. The event focused on boosting high-quality growth in the pharmaceutical industry and helping Chinese and Russian companies connect. 

Earlier, in September 2025, the China-Russia Medical Technology and Equipment Cooperation Center and its Medical Device Registration Service Station opened in Shanghai. This created a systematic framework for working together on R&D, product certification and market entry. 

The center aims to bring together medical device resources from both countries, encourage joint innovation and help high-quality products move in both directions. The registration service station will address clinical needs in Russia, improve communication with Chinese companies and support certification, registration and talent exchanges.

Long-standing academic ties

Institutional cooperation is thriving too. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Association of Sino-Russian Medical Universities, which brings together 140 medical universities from both countries. It is the largest and broadest cooperative network between Chinese and Russian higher education institutions. 

The Association promotes dialogue, joint research, platform building and co-training in medical education, research and clinical practice, which is a true reflection of how wide China-Russia health cooperation has become.