Seven members of the CMB-supported China Consortium of Elite Teaching Hospitals for Residency Education conducted an October workshop in Chengdu to initiate action for coordinated and systematic improvement of their residency training programs. In December, Consortium members began formulating a plan of action for the next two years.

The Equity Initiative’s Inaugural Fellows traveled for their global learning trip to Boston, USA and Cape Town, South Africa July 4-19, 2016. The two weeks of intensive travel linked the Fellows to world-class scholars and inspirational activists to deepen learning about equity values and interventions. The event furthered peer learning and exposed them to leadership competencies in two different cultural and historical contexts beyond Southeast Asia.

The 2016 Westlake Youth Forum, hosted by Sichuan University, was held June 20-24 in Chengdu. The annual Westlake series sponsored by CMB in partnership with key medical universities aims to promote innovations in health policy research among the next generation of China’s researchers. This year’s Forum attracted about 100 young professionals for presentation, discussion, exchange, and debate.

China has the potential to be a leader in global health and, by sharing its efforts in extending healthcare insurance and other experiences, it can help strengthen dialogues on healthcare equity and coverage. These are among the points that CMB President Lincoln Chen made in a recent interview with China Daily. The interview touches on both domestic topics, such as China’s need to build up its ranks of general practitioners, and international concerns, including the links between cross-border trade and health and taking action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.