UK delegation explores collaboration on healthcare with Northwest China
UK-Xi’an Healthcare Communication Seminar was held on 9 January, showcasing the UK’s expertise in healthcare.
A ‘UK-Xi’an Healthcare Communication Seminar’ was held on 9 January, showcasing the UK’s expertise in healthcare.
The British Embassy and Xi’an Health and Family Planning Commission co-hosted a ‘UK-Xi’an Healthcare Communication Seminar’ on 9 January, showcasing the UK’s expertise in healthcare.
The seminar marks the start of the UK healthcare delegation visit to northwest China. The delegation will travel to Shaanxi and Ningxia, including the cities of Xi’an, Tongchuan and Yinchuan. Led by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Lindsay Pitchley, the UK delegation of 28 includes officials from Rotherham City Council, senior representatives from the British Embassy in Beijing, experts from the UK healthcare sector and representatives from ten UK companies and Universities.
During the five day visit, the delegation will visit local hospitals, hold business matchmaking sessions and meet senior level leaders in the three cities, sharing policy and technical expertise and boosting regional partnerships.
Rotherham and Xi’an also announced a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two regions to further explore opportunities for collaboration in healthcare and digital healthcare. The agreements include:
- MoU between Xi’an Health and Family Planning Commission and Rotherham Investment and Trade Department to promote healthcare cooperation.
- A training MoU between Xi’an No. 3 hospital and Sheffield University.
- MOU between Xi’an Traditional Chinese Hospital and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals – to focus on remote online clinical consultation, digital health and staff job shadowing.
- MOU between Xi’an, Yan Liang Health Informatization Construction Management Centre and Britain Airedale NHS Trust Foundation –on remote online clinical consultation cooperation.
Lyndsay Pitchley, Mayor of Rotherham said:
The UK is internationally renowned for delivering excellent healthcare and I’m delighted to lead this delegation to visit Shaanxi and Ningxia. This is a great opportunity for our delegation to showcase their expertise to counterparts in Northwest China and enhance regional links between our countries.
There is much more we can do together and we are committed to seeking out opportunities for further collaboration with the regions.
Nick Low, Regional City Engagement Counsellor of the British Embassy in Beijing said:
We want the Golden Era to apply across China and the UK, and we are very keen to develop our growing relationship with Shaanxi and Ningxia. So much excellent work is already underway and this is an exciting opportunity for further collaboration in healthcare.
We particularly look forward to seeing more trade and investment in both directions and we see President Xi’s Belt and Road initiative as a great opportunity to collaborate with China, both within China and working in partnership on third country projects.
Speaking at the seminar, Xi’an’s Vice Mayor, Li Jing, noted the city would like to use the delegation’s visit to strengthen cooperation and communication between Xi’an and the UK in various areas, including planning and development of Shaanxi’s Free Trade Zone.