I am very pleased to be in Accra, the Republic of Ghana, for the 2024 China-West Africa Healthcare Industry Investment Summit and Industry Expo. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese organizers, I would like to welcome both the Chinese and foreign guests who have come to participate in today’s Expo.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all parties in Ghana for their support and assistance in hosting this Expo!

Our delegation of medical device companies from Hunan Province, China, represents the entire industry chain, including raw material supply, innovative research and development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and pharmaceutical services. These companies hold leading positions in their respective fields, with products spanning diagnostic reagents, medical devices, medical equipment, and more. In recent years, they have played a significant role in advancing the medical device industry and fostering international cooperation and exchanges. The Chaonan Provincial Government places great importance on the development of the medical device industry and has issued a series of policy measures to support its growth, providing a favorable environment for our medical device companies. According to the latest statistics for the first half of this year, there are 1,283 medical device manufacturers in Hunan, with an industry output value of about $3 billion, maintaining a rapid growth trend.

The relationship between China and Ghana has a long history. The friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have not only deep historical roots but have also been continuously strengthened and expanded in modern times. As an important node on the Maritime Silk Road, economic and trade cooperation between Ghana and China has been continually deepened. In recent years, Chinese companies have undertaken several infrastructure projects in Ghana, making positive contributions to Ghana’s economic development. Additionally, the two countries have engaged in extensive cooperation and exchanges in the medical field, including medical assistance, facility construction, and technology cooperation. This not only promotes mutual development but also lays a solid foundation for further deepening China-Africa relations.

As a crucial hub for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, Hunan has been at the forefront of this strategy. In 2023, the province’s trade volume with Africa reached 55.67 billion yuan, with an average annual growth of 23.1% over the past three years, making it the most active province in economic and trade cooperation with Africa. Over the past decade, Hunan has established two national platforms: the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Deep Cooperation Pilot Zone. In particular, the “Overall Plan for the Construction of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Deep Cooperation Pilot Zone,” approved by the State Council on January 7 this year, represents a strategic blueprint and tactical guide. It emphasizes “promoting the connection between the upstream and downstream of the pharmaceutical industry chain,” “cooperating in traditional medicine to prevent and treat infectious diseases, supporting the establishment of Chinese medicine centers in African countries, and carrying out traditional medicine exchanges and cooperation,” all reflecting China’s focus on medical cooperation with Africa and its aspirations for the mutual development of the Chinese and African medical industries.

Today, we gather to launch the first China-West Africa Medical and Health Industry Investment Summit and Industry Expo, marking a significant beginning. At the Expo, we will initiate the establishment of the “HCOWA West African Health Community Industry Alliance,” form the Ghana Initiative of “Strengthening Health Cooperation to Promote Health for All” in West Africa, and commence the construction of the first China-Africa Deep Cooperation linkage zone, the “Ghana China-Africa Economic and Trade Deep Cooperation Linkage Zone,” to help Chinese pharmaceutical companies enter Africa and improve the health of the people in West Africa. We also hope that through the signing of various projects, we can create replicable and scalable models that will benefit neighboring countries and regions, set a strong example for China-Africa health cooperation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Thank you!