Preparation meeting held for 2nd Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia

On the morning of March 9, a video conference was held at the Secretariat of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) to make preparations for the 2nd Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia.

BFA Secretary General Li Baodong presided over the meeting in Beijing.

Dr Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, President of GHF, and Wang Qingxian, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shandong Committee and Secretary of the CPC Qingdao Committee, attended and addressed the meeting in Hong Kong and Qingdao respectively.

Jie Yi and Luo Xielong, both deputy director-general of GHF Organizing Committee, also spoke at the conference.

Li said that the second session of GHF will be held in Qingdao in mid-June as scheduled and will make adjustments as necessary in the face of the current COVID-19 outbreak.

This is the most severe public health emergency in China since the founding of the People's Republic of China in terms of both the speed and scope of the spread and the difficulty in containment. The Chinese government has adopted the most comprehensive and rigorous prevention and control measures, which have achieved notable effects.

Shandong province and Qingdao city have been quick to respond to the CPC Central Committee arrangements and extended strong support to Hubei province and Wuhan in battling against the outbreak.

Shandong province and Qingdao have also stood out with impressive progress in local epidemic control and work resumption.

Showing unique strength in terms of medical supplies and talent, Shandong province and Qingdao have set a good example and laid the foundation for the GHF to be held successfully as scheduled.

Going forward, it is important to keep up the solid preparation efforts based on careful evaluation of the global situation so that contingency plans can be made accordingly and the agenda adjusted in a way that China's experience in fighting against the disease can be shared with the international community.

Margaret Chan mentioned in her speech that the Chinese government and the Chinese people have set a new benchmark for the world and a good example for other countries with the tremendous efforts and sacrifice they have made in fighting against COVID-19 as well as their great contribution to global public health security.

The epidemic will surely become a hot topic at this year's global conferences on health and economy. The second session of GHF held in Qingdao in June this year will attract worldwide attention, as it will be the first international conference with a special focus on the health industry after the COVID-19 outbreak and will also serve as a platform for exchange and cooperation between political, business, education and research sectors.

Based on its original agenda, the forum will make adjustments according to the latest situation to add specialized topics both at the macro level to discuss global governance in health and the relationship between economic development and public health, and at the technical level around such issues as the experience and lessons learned from the epidemic, challenges in promoting International Health Regulations, improving medical personnel infection prevention, and strengthening international cooperation on drug research and development.

A communication platform will therefore be established for stakeholders in the health industry across the globe to improve the international community's ability to respond to crises.

Wang said, since the outbreak of COVID-19, Qingdao has been firmly implementing the arrangements of Shandong province to control the epidemic in a science-based, targeted, orderly and effective way.

The city spares no effort in supporting Wuhan and Hubei in all possible ways. At the same time, the city has put in place rigorous measures concerning inbound travelers.

Those who are under four categories including people coming from epidemic affected areas and having fever or respiratory symptoms will be put under group quarantine or medical observation while necessary communication, explanation and service must be guaranteed for them. Those measures are recognized by the international community.

At present, the overall situation of epidemic control in Qingdao is stable and controllable, with only one confirmed case remaining under treatment and no new cases occurring for the past 15 days.

Meanwhile, coordinated efforts have been made to promote economic and social development. The rate of work resumption in Qingdao ranks among the top among Chinese cities. Investment promotion and talent recruitment are continuing without delay as the city is maintaining strong momentum in quality development driven by opening up and innovation.

He added that in the context of fighting against COVID-19 by all mankind, the second session of GHF is sure to undertake a greater mission and responsibility.

Qingdao attaches great importance to GHF's preparations and organization. According to the requirements of the GHF Organizing Committee, the CPC Shandong Committee and the Government of Shandong province, a special team with seven subsidiary groups has been established to secure coordinated efforts across the provincial and the municipal levels.

Beyond that, several special meetings have been held to actively facilitate guest invitation, promotion and exhibition, venue reservation, etc.

In view of the epidemic control and prevention, we've formulated the emergency plans for each link ahead of the forum such as ensuring sufficient reserve of face masks and disinfectant.

Guest health monitoring, security, transportation, medical services and food security, etc. are under preparation as well. Going forward, Qingdao will closely coordinate and collaborate with the BFA Secretariat and the GHF Organizing Committee to minimize the impact of the epidemic and to continue with the organization and preparations so as to ensure the complete success of the GHF.

Jie Yi and Luo Xielong said that the GHF Organizing Committee will carefully study the impact and challenges brought by the COVID-19 epidemic to accordingly adjust the overall plan of the second session of GHF, including producing a better forum agenda, and improving relevant services and the exhibition plan so as to ensure steady progress of preparations in all respects.

Vice Mayor Xue Qingguo attended the meeting in Qingdao. Other relevant officials of Shandong and Qingdao watched the meeting online in their own offices.