2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the construction of the "Healthy Silk Road", as an important part of its high-quality development, is not only a practical action for China to practice the concept of a "community with a shared future for mankind", but also a major practice for China to actively participate in global public health governance. Over the past decade, China has made remarkable achievements in promoting the construction of the "Healthy Silk Road". From dispatching medical teams, training personnel, providing health assistance and promoting traditional Chinese medicine, China has been deepening exchanges and cooperation with other countries in the field of health care, and is committed to building a global community of health for all and establishing a close health partnership. As the world's leading frontier institution in life sciences, BGI adheres to the mission of "gene technology for the benefit of mankind", actively participates in the construction of the "Health Silk Road", and helps build a community of health for all.
However, due to the increasing global political and economic uncertainty, the promotion of the healthy Belt and Road Initiative is facing huge challenges. In response to the current problems of unequal economic level, relatively backward medical conditions and medical models, and lack of medical talents in developing countries, BGI has actively taken measures to contribute to the construction of the "Health Silk Road".
BGIPromote dialogue and exchange in the field of health care and bridge the gap between knowledge and technology
At present, China has established bilateral or multilateral health cooperation relations with many Belt and Road countries, and has built a high-level cooperation mechanism. BGI recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Public Health Authority to further expand cooperation based on the detection of infectious diseases during the epidemic to all aspects of cooperation in reproductive health, early cancer screening, scientific research projects and talent training, so as to contribute to the development of public health in Saudi Arabia.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a deeper level of cooperation between BGI and the Saudi Public Health Authority. Leveraging BGI's years of experience in cutting-edge technologies in life sciences, the two parties will jointly explore innovative technologies and health solutions, bridge the knowledge and technology gap with practical actions, and contribute to the vigorous development of public health in Saudi Arabia.
BGIPay attention to life and health science and technology to improve the quality of life of people in the "Belt and Road" countries
With the progress of science and technology, model innovation and industrialization in the field of life and health in China, more attention can be paid to the cooperation of countries along the Belt and Road in biotechnology, genomics technology and precision medicine. Strengthening cooperation in the field of smart medical care such as disease prevention and early screening, and achieving large-group, low-cost and high-efficiency screening will greatly improve the quality of life of people in the Belt and Road countries. Taking cancer as an example, BGI's tumor testing can significantly reduce cancer incidence and mortality.
According to the latest global cancer burden data released in 2020, there were 19.29 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2020, including 9.96 million deaths. Malignant tumors are the second leading cause of death worldwide and one of the major public health problems that threaten human health. A large number of clinical studies and experimental data have proved that early screening and diagnosis can effectively reduce the 5-year overall mortality rate of liver cancer, and early detection greatly increases the likelihood of liver cancer.
Health and public health issues are a common concern of all countries** and peoples, and they are also an important bridge for people-to-people bonds. Strengthening cooperation in the field of health and sanitation will create more development opportunities for the countries we build and bring tangible benefits to the people of the countries concerned. This is not only a practical action for China to contribute to the global health cause, but also the direction of BGI's efforts to promote the construction of the "Health Silk Road" in the future.