Ma Xiaowei, minister of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), speaks at a videoconference on health collaboration with Italy on Dec 3. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn] 

A dialogue was held between China's National Health Commission (NHC) and the Italian Ministry of Health via video link on Dec 3. NHC Minister Ma Xiaowei and Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza attended and addressed the meeting.

Ma said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Italy have supported each other and made joint efforts in fighting the virus, which deepened the traditional friendship and set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the face of challenges.

China is willing to continue to share anti-pandemic experience with Italy, expand bilateral collaboration in chronic disease prevention and treatment and talent training, jointly safeguard the health of people in the two countries, and contribute to the building of a global health community for all, he said.

Speranza spoke highly of China-Italy relations and health cooperation and expressed appreciation to China for its support during the most difficult period in Italy's fight against the pandemic.

Italy is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in COVID-19 prevention and control, chronic disease prevention and treatment, and medical personnel training under the framework of the implementation plan of bilateral health cooperation, he said, noting that Italy hopes to play an important part in the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind together with China.

After the meeting, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation was signed between NHC's Health Human Resources Development Center and the Italian National Institute of Health.

The Chinese ambassador to Italy and the Italian ambassador to China participated in the meeting.