China-Africa healthcare cooperation expanding

The cooperation with BGI is expected to increase the local cervical cancer screening and prevention and control efficiency, and it is hoped that the cooperation can be promoted to other regions, he said.

During the pandemic, BGI established several highly automated novel coronavirus nucleic acid testing facilities in African countries.

The lab established in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia, designed to process 1,000 samples per day, was capable of providing nucleic acid testing services for up to 400 passengers within three hours. With the establishment of the lab, passengers didn't need to leave the waiting hall to undergo nucleic acid testing.

In February last year, BGI provided a gene sequencer, along with the necessary training and technical support, to the South African Medical Research Council to improve its sequencing capability. This capability played a crucial role in the early detection of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in a sample collected at Cape Town International Airport.

"The FOCAC has created valuable opportunities for Chinese companies to expand their markets and exchange technology in Africa," said Chen Songheng, Africa regional general manager at BGI Group.

"With the bilateral support of governments in China and Africa, BGI has worked together with African partners to enhance public health service capabilities, agricultural breeding capabilities and residents' living standards.

"In the future, we will further deepen cooperation, focus on innovation and progress in the fields of public health and agricultural technology, strive to benefit the people of China and Africa, and work together to build a community with a shared future for China and Africa," he said.

Wang Peng, associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "In the past decade, cooperation between China and African countries in the field of healthcare has achieved significant results, demonstrating profound potential and broad prospects for cooperation. This cooperation not only promotes resource sharing, technological exchange and capacity building between China and Africa, but also provides strong support for the development of healthcare in African countries."

He noted that in the future, possible collaborations for China and Africa include deepening cooperation in medicine and healthcare, promoting the development of TCM, strengthening the construction of the public healthcare system and promoting the overall development of the healthcare industry.

Lin Xianping, secretary-general of Hangzhou City University's cultural and creative research institute, said: "When doing business in Africa, Chinese enterprises should respect local laws and regulations as well as customs. They should also adhere to business and professional ethics to maintain business reputation and image."