China CDC and Germany's Robert Koch Institute Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation

On the afternoon of July 23, 2024, Prof. Shen Hongbing, Director General of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), and Prof. Dr. Lars Schaade, President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions via a video link. The MoU will be valid for five years, during which time the two organizations will collaborate in multiple areas, including infectious diseases, health emergencies, non-communicable diseases, laboratory safety, public health personnel training, and capacity building.

 

In his speech, Prof. Shen Hongbing emphasized that diseases know no borders and expressed his hope that the national public health agencies of China and Germany can complement each other's strengths through future cooperation. He highlighted the importance of technical exchanges, project development, and talent cultivation in jointly addressing diseases that threaten human health. Prof. Dr. Lars Schaade echoed these sentiments in his speech, stating that the collaboration between the two institutions will enhance the disease surveillance systems of both countries, improve health emergency strategies and response capabilities, and prepare for future health threats. This partnership, he noted, demonstrates their mutual commitment to maintaining global health security.

 

Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, Global Health Envoy of the German Embassy in China, along with officials from the China CDC's Office of Epidemiology, Global Public Health Center, Public Health Emergency Center, and International Cooperation Office, attended the signing ceremony.

Prof. Shen Hongbing Displays the Signed Memorandum of Understanding[Photo/chinacdc.cn]