Korea, China to collaborate on infectious disease management

The Korean and Chinese disease control agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation on infectious disease preparedness and response.

The signing took place during a meeting between the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jee Young-mee and Chinese National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA) Director Wang Hesheng.

The agreement emphasizes collaborative efforts in disease management policies, surveillance, risk assessment, and response to public health crises. This initiative follows the significant challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for strengthened global and regional health security measures.

Key aspects of the MOU include sharing expertise, conducting joint research, and exchanging personnel to foster better understanding and management of disease threats. The agencies also agreed to establish a direct hotline to facilitate communication and coordinate responses to health emergencies in the Asia region.

Further, the leaders discussed establishing additional communication lines and regular meetings with Japan to enhance preparedness and response strategies across the region.

“In order to effectively deal with future infectious disease threats, close solidarity among neighboring countries is necessary, and cooperation with China in the field of infectious diseases is particularly important,” Jee said. “I hope that the two organizations can build a closer and more forward-looking cooperation in the future to reach the common goal of being fully prepared for future infectious disease pandemics.”