A nine-day visit to China is expected to deliver a significant boost to Victoria’s economy through new agreements focusing on medical training, health technology and collaborative research.
Led by the Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, the visit will build on Victoria’s reputation as a world leader in medical research and innovation to further strengthen ties between Victoria and China.
Ms Hennessy will begin her visit in Hangzhou meeting representatives from Zheijang Province, before heading to Shanghai to tour the Borderless Healthcare Innovation Centre and meet with representatives from Zhejiang School of Medicine and Wenzhou Medical School.
A visit to Gulou Hospital in Nanjing will follow, building on the historic MOU signed by Premier Daniel Andrews in September last year.
Ms Hennessy will then spend time in Beijing, inspecting the Fuwai Hospital and National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, before departing for Chengdu to visit the Maternity and Children’s Hospital of Sichuan Province and the Sichuan Cancer Centre.
A visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the National Heart Centre in Singapore will conclude the nine-day delegation.
A key focus of the trip will be to facilitate further exchange of health and medical research information, expertise and skills between Victoria and China.
The Victorian medical technologies and pharmaceuticals sector has been identified by the Andrews Labor Government as one of six key sectors set to drive Victoria’s future economic growth.
It employs more than 20,000 people and generates $10 billion in revenue, largely through exports to global markets.
Further strengthening our ties with China in these areas will help us to grow this important sector and generate trade and investment opportunities for the Victorian healthcare and medical research sectors.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“As home to some of the world’s best medical researchers, scientists and clinicians, Victoria is well placed to seize the opportunities to further drive innovation and growth through partnerships with China.”
“We’re determined to capitalise on the export, investment and job creating potential of Victoria’s healthcare and medical research sector, and further strengthening our relationship with China will help us achieve that.”
“Australia and Victoria are not alone in the health challenges we face, and collaboration with China will help us tackle common challenges such as an ageing population and chronic diseases.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020