Global biz execs upbeat on annual meetings' aims

A1 China's opening-up has been a key driver of globalization and is particularly important as the world battles to recover from COVID-19. As a beneficiary, Merck applauds China's ongoing efforts to create a more open and transparent business environment and fully intends to continue to invest here. 2022 will present new opportunities to collaborate on providing innovative health management solutions aimed at helping China deliver more integrated, future-oriented health services to its people. We look forward to further measures being presented at the two sessions to expand access to high-quality solutions and facilitate an even more favorable and open business environment.

A2 Given the importance of people's health, high-quality healthcare development is essential. Merck is delighted to see China's advances here and works as an eager contributor. Beyond providing innovative and high-quality drugs and solutions, our local manufacturing facility in Nantong, Jiangsu province, addresses the increasing need for essential quality drugs in China. We will continue to further explore safe, effective and affordable pathways and expand access for Chinese patients.

A3 Merck China Healthcare delivered an overall stable business performance as expected, even in the context of the complexity and turbulence accompanying COVID-19. Increasing patient needs for quality solutions present innumerable opportunities for growth, and we remain positive about the potential of that this year. Merck will continue to enrich its portfolio and accelerate the introduction of innovations into the Chinese market to benefit more patients. We will also continue to explore new pathways to improve access and affordability.

A4 We especially see a growing trend for more collaboration in biopharmaceuticals. Successful partnerships are mutually empowering, strengthening each other's capabilities and likelihood of success. Merck has established extensive partnerships with local innovators in areas such as drug development and delivery, digital transformation and disease management to reinforce full lifecycle management. These successes prove we are on the right track.

A5 China is an important strategic market and growth engine for Merck worldwide and Merck is very optimistic about its development potential. Examples of our recent growth and expansion in China include Merck having quadrupled the number of global clinical studies conducted in China from 2016 to 2019, our establishment of a Nantong production site and a China R&D center in Beijing. Merck will continue to invest and engage in the Chinese market, contributing to the achievement of Healthy China 2030 and the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).