On 27 August 2023, H.E. Ambassador Yu Dunhai published a signed article on Times of Malta. The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 60th anniversary of China dispatching its first medical team abroad. Over the past 60 years, China has sent a total of 30,000 medical team members to 76 countries and regions around the world, treated 290 million patients, and trained more than 20,000 local medical personnel, winning a wide reputation from the international community.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of China dispatching its first medical team to Malta. In 1993, the first China medical team arrived in Malta. In 1994, China and Malta signed a cooperation agreement in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, and the Mediterranean Regional Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) was officially established, ushering in a new era of medical cooperation between China and Malta.

Over the past 30 years, the flower of China-Malta cooperation in the field of health has been continuously flourishing. The China medical team to Malta has set up traditional Chinese medicine clinics in Paola, Gozo General Hospital and Mater Dei Hospital. More than 100 medical team members from Jiangsu Province, China have treated nearly 250,000 local patients through acupuncture, tuina therapy and other traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The China medical team has also dedicated to demonstrating the charm of traditional Chinese medicine to more people through activities such as free clinics, training programs and lectures.

Over the past 30 years, the friendly relationship between China and Malta has been strengthened through health cooperation. The doctors of the China medical team to Malta carried forward the spirit of the China medical team featuring no fear of hardships, willingness to dedicate, saving lives and great love with practical actions, and established a deep friendship with local patients and working partners, becoming a great example of China-Malta friendship and people-to-people exchanges.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta, the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals. The relationship between the two countries has developed steadily, political mutual trust has continued to deepen, economic cooperation has achieved fruitful results, and cultural exchanges have also been impressive. As President Xi Jinping said during the phone conversation with President George Vella, China and Malta are old and good friends that have stood the test of time.

The Chinese people love peace and cherish lives, which is vividly illustrated by their efforts in international medical assistance. It is believed that with the support of the two governments and friends from all walks of life, the China medical team to Malta will continuously provide high-level treatment services, and the cooperation in the medical field between China and Malta will achieve more mutually beneficial and win-win results. China and Malta will continue to compose a new chapter of friendship and development.

See the full text: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/china-medical-teams-mrctcm.1051400