China, Africa to boost health care cooperation

Health authorities from China and African countries on Friday agreed to make joint efforts to prevent infectious diseases. According to a "Beijing Declaration" released by Sino-Africa health officials after a ministerial-level meeting on health cooperation held in Beijing, the two sides have agreed to promote cooperation in preventing malaria, parasitic infections and AIDS. Both sides will carry out cooperation in vocational training and set up joint research laboratories, according to the declaration. The declaration also calls for enhanced technology transfers between Chinese and African enterprises in order to expand the use of quality medical technology. China and the African countries involved in the agreement will work to solve health care issues by establishing a sustainable and long-term cooperation mechanism, the declaration says. Li Bin, head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said China is ready to share experience with African countries. Nearly 400 representatives from 48 African countries, eight international communities and several Chinese government departments attended the meeting.