Nanning Hosts the Sub-Forum on Women and Children’s Health Communication and Cooperation under the 2025 “Health Silk Road” Initiative and the 5th China-ASEAN Forum on Health Cooperation

The Sub-Forum on Women and Children’s Health Communication and Cooperation under the 2025 “Health Silk Road” Initiative and the 5th China-ASEAN Forum on Health Cooperation was held in Nanning, Guangxi, on September 15. The forum aimed to promote maternal and child health exchange and cooperation with ASEAN countries, advance the development of maternal and child health across China and ASEAN, support the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute to building a global community of health for all. It was organized jointly by the Department of Maternal and Child Health and the National Center for Women and Children’s Health of the National Health Commission, together with the Health Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital was the co-organizer. Among the distinguished attendees addressing the forum were Li Junjun, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Health Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Dr. Or Vandine, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Health of Cambodia; and H.E. Mr. José dos Reis Magno, Vice Minister of Health of Timor-Leste. The opening ceremony was presided over by Zhang Xueqing, Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Division of the National Center for Women and Children’s Health of the National Health Commission.

At the forum, keynote speeches were delivered by Wang Liang, Director of Division of Women’s Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health of the National Health Commission; Chen Zijiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Xu Zongyu, Deputy Director (Presiding) of the National Center for Women and Children’s Health of the National Health Commission; Ms. Nadia Rasheed, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in China; and Dr. Ali Shirazi, Chief of Child Health and Development Section of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Office for China. Sixteen experts and scholars from China and six ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam, shared their insights on the topics of maternal and infant safety and perinatal care, women’s healthcare and reproductive health, as well as child health and disease prevention. They also engaged in in-depth, multi-dimensional, and multi-level discussions on key issues concerning policies, strategic directions, and the guidance for the development of maternal and child health.

Themed “Collaboration and Innovation: Working Together for a Better Future in Women and Children’s Health”, the forum featured exhibition areas showcasing achievements in maternal and child health at both the national level and within Guangxi. At the forum, China’s maternal and child health service system and its fruits were systematically presented, with outstanding practices shared to promote mutual learning and exchange in this field.

Over 300 representatives attended the event, including heads and officials responsible for maternal and child health from health administrative departments and divisions across China’s provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as delegates from medical institutions, maternal and child health agencies, children’s hospitals, and maternity hospitals nationwide. Together, they explored new ideas and approaches for advancing maternal and child health cooperation between China and ASEAN.

Reviewer 1: Huang Mengyao

Reviewer 2: Zhang Yanlan

Reviewer 3: Tang Caihong