Zhan Qimin, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), dean of International Cancer Institute of Peking University and dean of Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University

The central government’s latest development philosophies and major decisions concerning health and the biomedical industry have suggested that it is now the best time for us to take a big leap in the health undertaking.

When we mentioned “health” in the past, we mainly meant treatment of diseases. However, today, “health” means we not only take care of the sick, but also give our attention to the healthy. We hope to help the latter reduce the risks of getting ill as possible as we can. And for the sick, we try to ensure that they can get and afford the medical services they need.

The development of biomedical technology is a strategic focus of the country’s efforts to build a world power in science and technology, and also the core driver for the implementation of the Healthy China initiative. Biotech can bring about many new economic growth points, and is an important support for the country’s high-quality economic development, as well as an important cornerstone for safeguarding national biosecurity.

To develop biotech, we need to build national laboratories, and strengthen the building of national clinical research centers, biological sample libraries, health care big data repositories and national biomedical innovation centers.