Li Bin, minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) met with Vector Dzau, president of the American Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing on April 5.

Li and Vector exchanged ideas on Sino-US medical science and technology cooperation and appropriate organization of an academician system.

Li said that the Sino-US relationship is one of the most important bilateral ties in the world. The two countries have a long history of cooperationin health policies, infectious diseases prevention and control, medical scientific research and medical education.

The minister noted that the American academy is an important authoritative academic institution with an advanced academician selection system, which could be a model for China.

Vector Dzau introduced the academy's history and recent work. He said it is willing to support and assist the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to set up an academician system.

In addition to academician system construction, the two sides reached consensus on strengthening cooperation in hospital management, payment improvement, medical services and establishment of research hospitals.