Lei Haichao, minister of China's National Health Commission, met with Natalia Kanem, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in Beijing on June 12 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation.

Lei said that China has maintained a fruitful cooperation with the UNFPA. In response to new situation in population development, the Chinese central government has made important arrangements to improve the fertility support policy system and incentive mechanisms and foster a fertility-friendly society to support Chinese modernization with high-quality population development, he added.

Amid the current challenges of unilateralism to the global governance system, China remains steadfast in its support for multilateralism, he said. China is ready to deepen collaboration with the UNFPA in various forms, strengthen South-South cooperation and jointly advance the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, so as to build a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Kanem praised China's achievements in population development, adding that China's development experience holds significant reference value for many developing countries and expressing gratitude for China's long-standing and steadfast support to the UNFPA.

Both parties agreed to enhance cooperation and exchanges in areas such as population and development, aging and reproductive health.