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Prof. Qun Li, Deputy Director General, Leads Delegation to Attend the 18th Japan-China-South Korea Forum for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention in Japan

chinacdc.cn | Updated: 2025-01-22
The 18th Japan-China-South Korea Forum for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention was held on December 10-11, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan in a hybrid format. Prof. Qun Li , Deputy Director General of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), led the Chinese delegation to the event and delivered opening and closing remarks.
 
Key participants included Dr. Takaji Wakita, Director-General of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Japan; Dr. Norihiro Kokudo, President of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Japan; and Dr. Youngmee Jee, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Experts from NIID, NCGM, China CDC, and KDCA attended the forum. In total, around 40 experts participated in person, while more than 100 joined online.
 
Group Photo of Some of the Participating Experts from China, Japan, and South Korea[Photo/chinacdc.cn]
 
In his remarks, Prof. Qun Li emphasized that the forum’s agenda was rich and up-to-date, highly relevant to current public health and disease control needs. He also highlighted the importance of this platform for enhancing China-Japan-Korea cooperation, facilitating resource integration, and jointly promoting regional and global health and safety. Additionally, Prof. Li extended an invitation to the partners in Japan and South Korea to visit China next year to attend the 19th forum.
 
Dr. Takaji Wakita stated that in April 2025, NIID will merge with NCGM to establish the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS). This new institute will face greater responsibilities and challenges. He expressed hope that future cooperation with China CDC and KDCA will continue to be strengthened, and that trilateral cooperation will further advance the infectious disease control and prevention efforts of JIHS.
 
Dr. Norihiro Kokudo emphasized that the forum has become a cornerstone for promoting collaborative efforts in infectious disease control and prevention among the three countries. He highlighted that the forum is essential for sharing knowledge and strategies, fostering professional and resource integration, and addressing the ongoing challenges posed by global outbreaks. He expressed hope that the three countries would use this platform to strengthen their partnerships and jointly create a safer and healthier future.
 
Dr. Youngmee Jee stated that China, Japan, and South Korea have continuously shared information and explored cooperation in the field of infectious disease control and prevention. She stressed the importance of continuing regional and global cooperation in this area. The forum provides a valuable opportunity for sharing policies, exchanging views, and strengthening trilateral collaboration on key issues.
 
Experts from China CDC engaged in extensive exchanges and discussions with their counterparts from Japan and South Korea on a variety of topics, including the infectious disease prevelance after the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and health, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases, and international cooperation activities. Representatives from all participating countries unanimously agreed to continue strengthening communication and collaboration in these areas, learn from each other, expand cooperation, and jointly safeguard the health and safety of the people of China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as those of the region and the world.
 
During the visit, Prof. Li also attended the Plenary Joint Session with Japan-China-Souh Korea CDC Forum, as well as bilateral meetings between China CDC and its Japanese and South Korean counterparts.