The reform of the global health governance system needs to give due consideration to the voices and needs of developing nations to achieve balanced health development worldwide, said Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission and leader of the Chinese delegation, during the general debate at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) on Tuesday.

Addressing the assembly, Lei emphasized the necessity of elevating health on political agendas and incorporating it into all facets of policymaking. He called for multi-dimensional planning across concepts, budgeting and performance outcomes to bridge global health gaps.

Lei outlined China's national health strategy, noting that the country continues to push forward its Healthy China 2030 Plan. The initiative aims to achieve decisive milestones by 2030, including raising the national average life expectancy to 80 years.

International health engagement

Regarding international public health involvement, Lei urged developed nations to fulfill their financial obligations and commitments to global health development. He noted that over the past six decades, China has dispatched 31,000 medical team members abroad, treated 300 million patients and developed the antimalarial drug artemisinin.

Furthermore, Lei stated that China supports multilateralism and the World Health Organization's (WHO) central coordinating role. He added that China is ready to collaborate with member states on the current negotiations on the annex to the agreement that would establish the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.

Lei reiterated that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. He said the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 have long since resolved the issue of China's representation, including Taiwan, in a comprehensive and conclusive manner.

The annual assembly, which serves as the highest decision-making body of the WHO, opened Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme "Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility." It is scheduled to run through May 23.