Speech at the International Forum on the 50th Anniversary of the Discovery of Artemisinin and on Building a Global Community of Health for All

Speech at the International Forum on the 50th Anniversary of the Discovery of Artemisinin and on Building a Global Community of Health for All

At Diaoyutai State Guest House, April 25

Your Excellency State Councilor Wang Yi,

Your Excellencies Diplomatic Envoys, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning! Flying petals are dancing in the waning yet lingering spring, which makes April feature the greatest view all the seasons. On this beautiful day, the International Forum on the 50th Anniversary of the Discovery of Artemisinin and on Building a Global Community of Health for All is successfully held here. On behalf of the organizers, please allow me to extend a warm welcome to you all.

While disease knows no border or race, health is a common pursuit for all. Today is the World Malaria Day. Since its discovery, artemisinin has been carrying forward Chinese people's universal love and compassion to overseas. Whether it is in Asia or Africa, South Pacific or Latin America, artemisinin plays a vital role in humanity's battle against malaria. A contribution by China and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), artemisinin has been a shiny poster for China's "small yet smart" assistance programs. Today, in our fight against COVID-19, a pandemic unseen in a century, TCM has created new glories and embarked on a new journey of benefiting humanity.

We live in a community with a shared future for mankind. The Earth is our common homeland. Facing repeated resurgences of rampant COVID-19, it is crucial for all sides to overcome difficulties with solidarity and concerted efforts. To respond to the call of times and guide the trend of world, President Xi Jinping put forward the Chinese approach—building a global community of health for all, which is gaining more and more recognition internationally. China's medical supplies and vaccines are assisting the world in a steady flow. China stands ready to work with the international community to advance international anti-pandemic cooperation and world economic recovery, implement the Global Development Initiative, and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the 2030 Agenda.

Dear friends,

On this occasion, please allow me first to thank China's first Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine Ms. Tu Youyou. It was her extraordinary contribution that enabled the discovery of artemisinin, which has helped millions of people survive malaria. She regrets absent in-person, but she's prepared a video message specially for today's event.

I'd like to thank the National Health Commission, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce, among other ministries for their contribution to the promotion of artemisinin. My thanks also go to the governments and people of relevant countries, the World Health Organization and other relevant United Nations agencies, as well as the diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations present. Through our persistent joint efforts, artemisinin has brought benefits to the humanity and gained worldwide appreciation.

My special thanks go to State Councilor Wang Yi, who has made time to be here in the midst of his busy schedule. Now, let's welcome State Councilor Wang Yi to give a speech with warm applause.