Premier Li: China ready to enhance cooperation with WHO on medical reforms

China will continue its efforts to build a Healthy China and cooperate with the UN World Health Organization, Premier Li Keqiang told the former director-general of WHO.

Premier Li met with Margaret Chan, who oversaw the WHO from 2007 until earlier this year, in Beijing on Thursday.

Li said China had made a big effort to implement medical reforms aimed at providing basic medical and health services to the general public. He said the country had managed to establish a medical system covering 98 percent of the population, benefiting more than 1.3 billion people.

He said China was willing to enhance communication with the WHO and other global partners and share its experience in medical reforms to help implement the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Li spoke highly of Chan's efforts in promoting global health and medical development and dealing with important public health issues such as the outbreak of Ebola virus epidemic and Hemorrhagic Fever when she was the director-general. He said Chan has been promoting public health systems in WHO member countries, especially in developing countries, and has also provided advice and support to China's medical reform.

Chan expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government for its long time support of the WHO. She said China had made outstanding achievements in medical reforms, serving as an example to other countries. She said she is hoping to continue to contribute her expertise to the next stages of China's medical reforms and international cooperation.

zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn