Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) said Monday it would cooperate with Chinese private equity funds firm CITIC PE and its hospitals to train Chinese medical staff and vitalize hospital operations.

The Korean hospital and CITIC PE signed a strategic partnership agreement at the equity firm’s headquarters in Beijing Wednesday, SNUH said. Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo and CITIC PE’s President Jeon Wu and Managing Director Liu Dong also attended the ceremony, it added.

“The meaningful cooperation will solve the problems of cancer in the two countries while alleviating patient suffering,” Minister Park said.

The signing ceremony, which took place on the significant day when President Moon Jae-in made a state visit to China, will speed up bilateral health cooperation between the two countries, the Korean hospital said.

Under the agreement, SNUH will train local medical staff at CITIC PE-run hospitals on Korean medical technology, including minimally invasive surgery and robot surgery, it said. The hospital said it would act as a bridgehead between Chinese medical institutions.

SNUH also plans to participate in transforming a local hospital into a Korean-Chinese hospital specializing in cancer treatment. The two organizations will soon prepare a special task force to execute the plan, the Korean hospital said.

“We will be able to provide upgraded medical services by introducing advanced medical technology, excellent manpower, digital information system, and operation management experience from Seoul National University Hospital,” CITIC PE President Jeon said.