Cao Xuetao, vice-minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), met with Annika Östman Wernerson, president of the Karolinska Institutet of Sweden, in Beijing on Oct 11. The two sides exchanged views on promoting China-Sweden cooperation in healthcare.

Cao said he appreciated the exchanges and cooperation between Karolinska Institutet and Chinese universities, research institutes and hospitals. He added that China encourages medical schools and health institutions from both countries to deepen cooperation in medical research and clinical practice, and supports Chinese institutions including the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to continue practical cooperation with Karolinska Institutet in prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cancer, medical personnel training and academic exchanges.

He also briefed the Swedish guests about the goals and measures of health reform highlighted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Wernerson presented the progress made in collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and relevant Chinese institutions. She said her institute attaches great importance to cooperation with the related Chinese institutions, and is ready to further strengthen exchanges with the Chinese side to jointly contribute to global health development.

Officials from relevant NHC departments and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College attended the meeting.