Liu Qian, vice minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), visited Zimbabwe and South Africa from July 21 to 29, meeting with Chinese medical staff and signing cooperative agreements.

During his stay in Zimbabwe, Liu met with David Parirenyatwa, president of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, promising to help with the maternal and child healthcare in his country and to boost long-term cooperation between hospitals in the two countries.

"China gives a great amount of attention to health cooperation efforts between China and Africa," Liu said, "President Xi Jinping has called for closer cooperation in the public health sectors from both sides."

Parirenyatwa expressed his thanks to China for its support in health protection.

The cooperation has deepened the friendship between the two countries, added Parirenyatwa.

Liu also signed two cooperative agreements during his stay in Zimbabwe and visited the 14th batch of Chinese medical units sent to the country.

In South Africa, Liu met with Joe Phaahla, deputy minister of the Department of Health, and signed a memorandum of understanding on public health and medical science.

Since China and South Africa are both large developing countries and part of BRICKS, the complementary benefits are huge, said Liu.

The two sides have conducted joint projects related to esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, heart diseases, and laboratory techniques, according to Liu, adding that more pragmatic cooperation should be promoted through joint efforts.

"We should promote learning from each other and bilateral exchanges on issues of common interest," Phaahla said.