China playing key global role in fighting disease, former WHO chief says

China has played a key role in safeguarding global health and tackling infectious diseases, Margaret Chan, a national political adviser said on Sunday.

In the age of globalization, infectious diseases are spreading at faster rates due to increasing exchanges, human mobility and global trade, Chan, president of the Boao Global Health Forum and former director-general of the World Health Organization, said at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday afternoon.

It is vital to establish emergency response mechanisms, including a set of effective prevention and control measures, to cope with sudden outbreaks of contagious ailments, such as avian influenza, SARS and the Ebola fever, Chen said.

She added China has been a leading force in fighting infectious diseases around the world.

Two emergency medical teams from China were among the first batch recognized by the World Health Organization, she said. "This means the capability of these medical professionals is world-class."

In addition, she said, China has devoted a large amount of efforts to secure and advance global health development. One highlight, Chan said, was a memorandum of understanding signed by the WHO and China in 2017, which aims to improve health and sanitary levels in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.