50-year friendship between China and Congo runs deep

Among the 24th group of Chinese medical teams to aid the Republic of the Congo, there is a radiologist named Liu Xiaodong. 

Liu, from Tianjin Hospital, is 52 years old and has been working as a doctor for more than 30 years. He volunteered to come to the China-Congo Friendship Hospital to perform the medical aid mission. 

Liu is extremely responsible, according to his co-workers. Whether during the day or at night, as long as a patient needs a radiological examination, he is always on call. He maintains close communication with clinicians and focuses on the study of relevant medical knowledge to ensure correct diagnoses.

Liu's father, Liu Yan, was one of the team members of the first batch of Chinese medical team to aid the Republic of the Congo.

Liu Yan, 83, was an attending physician at the Tianjin Pulmonary Tuberculosis Control Center before his retirement. In 1967, he came to Brazzaville to perform a two-year medical assistance mission when he was 32 years old.

Living and working conditions in Congo back then were extremely harsh. There were no decent hospitals or medical equipment, and there was a lack of medical care and low public health awareness. Infectious diseases, tuberculosis and malaria were treated without scientific and standardized methods. 

Liu Yan and his teammates overcame all the now-unimaginable difficulties to complete the medical aid work. Liu was awarded a medal issued by the Congo government. 

The old man was pleased beyond description when he learned that his son wanted to join the 24th batch of China's medical team to aid Congo. He supported his son's decision and repeatedly encouraged him to work hard to relieve the suffering of Congo patients and contribute to deepening the friendship between the two peoples.

The entrustment between father and son, or the two countries, is never forgotten. Two generations with 50 years of travel and perseverance have witnessed the deepening friendship between China and Republic of the Congo.