China CDC holds Tabletop Exercise for Health Emergency Response among ASEAN Plus Three Countries

 

The ASEAN plus three countries enjoy geographical proximity and our futures are closely interconnected. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging across the world, global health security has become increasingly crucial. 

 

Under the ASEAN Plus Three health cooperation framework, Stated by He Zhaohua, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, China’s National Health Commission, we have been working together to address COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN Plus Three countries are standing hand in hand and supporting each other in the fight against the pandemic. 

 

On October 27, 2021, the 24th ASEAN Plus Three Leaders Meeting was held through virtual conference platform. our Premier Li Keqiang mentioned in his speech that China is developing a public health emergency tabletop exercise system based on simulated platform to strengthen regional capacity building. The exercise conducted today will be the first time to apply this technical innovation. 

 

George F. Gao, Director General of the China CDC also pointed out that COVID-19 has brought us great challenges, but also opportunities to work together. China CDC will continue to work closely with other countries and the ASEAN Secretariat to improve the online simulated platform and eventually make it into a public good globally.

 

Based on a virtual simulation of zoonotic disease outbreak in ASEAN + 3 region, the exercise was divided into three parts as recognition, collaboration, and preparation. Participants made decisions on the questions according to the plot through online video technologies, scene simulations, interactive decision-making, group discussions and interactive operations, among other formats. 

 

Professor Tak Sangwoo from the South Korea CDC, Professor Lance Rodewald and Wang Xiaochun from the China CDC gave beneficial comments on the three training sessions as evaluators. During hot wash section, representatives summarized and gave feedback on the exercise activities and provided constructive advises for future exercises.

 

Without support from all participants, the innovative online tabletop exercise based on the online simulated platform couldn’t be a success. It strengthened in-depth public health communication and cooperation among ASEAN 10+3 countries, and provided direction for us to explore conducting online activities more efficiently under the context of pandemic.