Delegation from Thai FETP Visits China CDC (Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine)

On July 13, 2026, a delegation from the Field Epidemiology Training Program (Thai FETP) of the Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Thailand, led by Director Phanthanee Thitichai, visited the Changping Campus of China CDC (Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine). Relevant department heads and experts from the Office of International Cooperation, Office of Epidemiology, Center for Global Public Health, Public Health Emergency Center (PHEC), National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, and National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention participated in the exchange. Participants also included trainees from Hong Kong FETP, as well as instructors and two-year trainees of the China Field Epidemiology Training Program (CFETP). The meeting was chaired by Zhang Lijie, Deputy Director of the Office of Epidemiology and Deputy Director of CFETP.

Ma Huilai, Director of the Office of Epidemiology and Director of CFETP, delivered an opening address. He extended a warm welcome to the Thai FETP delegation, provided a comprehensive review of the history of exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, and introduced the overall arrangements for the two-week exchange program. He expressed his hope that both sides would continue to deepen exchanges and further expand cooperation in field epidemiology talent development and workforce development. In her address, Phanthanee Thitichai, Director of Thai FETP, expressed her gratitude for the meticulous organization by CFETP. She stated that, building upon the existing strong foundation of cooperation, Thailand will make every effort to promote practical cooperation in disease control between the two countries.

During the meeting, department heads and experts from relevant departments of China CDC delivered thematic presentations on key areas, including the Center's functions, AIDS prevention and control, global public health, infectious disease surveillance, and public health emergency response. Representatives from both sides introduced the progress of their respective FETP training programs, followed by in-depth discussions among the attendees. After the meeting, the Thai FETP delegation visited the Vector Control Laboratory of the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Reference Laboratory of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention.

The FETPs of China and Thailand have long maintained close cooperation and exchanges. CFETP has dispatched instructors to Thailand multiple times to participate in various faculty development programs. In return, Thai FETP has sent representatives to attend the CFETP Annual Conference held in Shanghai to share their experiences. This event marks the first time CFETP has invited Thai FETP trainees to China for a two-week specialized exchange program. It has further broadened the scope of bilateral cooperation and ushered in a new chapter in China-Thailand FETP collaboration.