Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Global Health Forum (GHF) of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) which opened on Monday in the coastal city of Qingdao, in east China's Shandong Province.

Xi stressed in the letter that health is the common vision of all mankind and an important part of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Promoting the global health industry is also an important part of implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Xi said, noting that the BFA has always been committed to promoting common development and people's well-being in Asia and the world.

The president also said he hopes that the meeting will effectively unite the strengths of all parties to promote international cooperation in health industry, and contribute to the health and well-being of all mankind.

The three-day forum – held under the themes of "Universal Health Coverage," "Innovation," and "Health in All Policies" – will focus on Internet Plus health care, industrial transformation of technological innovations, traditional medicine and the development of health services.

Aimed at enhancing exchanges and cooperation in the field of health care, the forum includes 28 sub-forums, four roadshows of innovative projects and the Global Health Expo.

On Monday morning, BFA Secretary General Li Baodong, Shandong Province's Vice Governor Sun Jiye and conference chairperson Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, former director-general of the WHO, attended the expo's opening ceremony.

Launched by BFA in 2018, GHF is among China's first top-level platforms in the field of public health. More than 2,000 delegates from more than 50 countries and regions will attend the forum.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the Global Health Forum (GHF) of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) at Qingdao World Expo City in Qingdao, eastern China's Shandong Province, June 10, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)