National Expert Committee on Disease Prevention and Control Established

On 10 September 2025, the inaugural meeting of the National Expert Committee on Disease Prevention and Control (hereinafter referred to as the Expert Committee) was held in Beijing. Shen Hongbing, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission and Director General of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, attended the meeting, presented letters of appointment to the members of the first Expert Committee and delivered remarks. Zhang Yong, Deputy Director General of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, chaired the meeting. Members of the Expert Committee, heads of departments of the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention and senior officials from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) were present.

In his speech at the inaugural meeting, Shen Hongbing noted that the establishment of the Expert Committee is an important measure to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on reforming the disease control system. It is also a necessary response to the increasingly severe and complex situation in disease prevention and control. He expressed the hope that the Expert Committee will give full play to its advisory role in decision making and other key functions, uphold professional standards and strengthen strategic support. In this way, it can contribute expertise and insight to the scientific planning and overall design of the disease control system and to the high quality development of disease control. He called on all members to enhance forward looking planning and systematic thinking, stay focused on core tasks, serve the broader national agenda, perform their duties conscientiously and take responsibility in addressing key and difficult issues. Shen Hongbing stressed the need to improve and refine relevant working mechanisms. He noted that, as the secretariat of the Expert Committee, China CDC should provide strong support and sound services to ensure the efficient operation of the Committee and the effective exercise of its functions. 

Following the inaugural meeting, the Expert Committee held its first plenary session. At the meeting, Professor Liang Wannian of Tsinghua University was elected Chair. Academician Chen Wei of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Researcher Wang Jianwei of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine) were elected Vice Chairs, and Researcher Li Qun of China CDC (Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine) was elected Secretary General. The meeting reviewed and adopted the Charter of the National Expert Committee on Disease Prevention and Control and discussed the Committee’s key tasks for 2025-2026. 

In accordance with the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee on strengthening the disease control system and the requirements of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the Expert Committee was established by China CDC. Its main responsibilities are to strengthen risk assessment for major epidemics and to provide expert advice for decision making on epidemic prevention and control. On the basis of nominations, selection and approval by relevant departments, the first Expert Committee is composed of 31 experts from multiple disciplines and sectors, including health, disease control, industry and information technology, transport, agriculture, emergency management, customs, and forestry and grassland.

Inaugural meeting of the National Expert Committee on Disease Prevention and Control[Photo/chinacdc.cn]

Group photo of Shen Hongbing, Zhang Yong and members of the first National Expert Committee on Disease Prevention and Control[Photo/chinacdc.cn]

First plenary session of the first National Expert Committee on Disease Prevention and Control[Photo/chinacdc.cn]