On Oct 9, Lei Haichao, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), held meetings in Beijing with Robert B. Ford, global chairman and CEO of US-based Abbott Laboratories, and Severin Schwan, chairman of the board of directors of Swiss Roche Group, respectively.

Lei presented China's achievements in the health sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), noting that the country has leveraged its institutional advantages and implemented a health-first strategy to continuously improve the capacity, accessibility and equity of health services and enhance the health of the people.

He said the upcoming fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will deliberate on proposals for the next five-year plan, which will create more development opportunities for Chinese and foreign companies.

He expressed the hope that Abbott and Roche would actively participate in China's health initiatives, increase investment and R&D innovation in China and work together to develop new technologies and quality products, so as to achieve development in the country, provide health promotion solutions for the world and promote the building of a global community of health for all.

Ford and Schwan spoke highly of the progress China has made in the health sector and respectively outlined their companies' recent development plans. They both emphasized the great importance attached to the Chinese market and development opportunities in China, expressing their willingness to actively participate in the Healthy China initiative and contribute to health promotion in the country and globally.

Officials from relevant NHC departments attended the meetings.