Germany and China agree on Co-operation

10 October 2014. At the invitation of the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Third German-Chinese Government Consultations were held in Berlin from 9-10th October 2014. Federal Minister, Hermann Gröhe, met for bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, Minister Li Bin of the National Commission for Health and Family Planning (NHFPC).

Together the Ministers opened the First German-Chinese Health Dialogue at the Federal Ministry of Health. Experts in hospital care from both sides discussed reform possibilities. The German system of performance-oriented remuneration is under discussion as a possible model for Chinese reform plans.

The gist of the bilateral talks was the plan of action on German-Chinese public health co-operation. The plan lays down the political priorities and the fields for action in the coming two years. In the course of the talks, both parties agreed on the following six topics:

1. Communicable Diseases and Hygiene
   International co-operation in the area of communicable diseases and the specific topic of multidrug-resistent (MDR) pathogens is vital in combating epidemics. In this context, both Germany and China have a key role to play regionally and are assuming their responsibility by stepping up co-operation. Among the topics agreed upon are improvements in the exchange of information on new pathogens, the use of vaccines and antibiotics. A comprehensive strategy to combat MDR and other pathogens requires complex hygiene standards that are to be drawn up by German and Chinese university clinics.
   
   
2. Oncology
   By overseeing the setting up of a breast cancer centre in China, Germany has already helped to advance medical care in this field. We will continue and intensify our efforts in both training and equipment in the area of oncology.
   
   
3. Hospital Management and Quality Assurance
   In order to improve the provision of care, especially in the primary care sector, China is aiming to reform its hospital sector along the lines of the German model. In this context, Germany provides support for this reform process by contributing its experience with and expertise in the DRG system.
   
   
4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
   TCM is still a part of our co-operation efforts and continues to be followed up at working level.
   
   
5. Rescue Services and Emergency Medicine
   Both parties will continue to supervise the pilot projects in two Chinese cities.
   
   
6. Health Care Industry
   Germany has underlined that non-discriminatory market access for German enterprises and particularly for Chinese firms with German parent companies is a matter of central concern. Access to medicinal products and medical devices is primarily also in the interest of patients. This is why Germany advocates clear and transparent marketing authorisation procedures that facilitate speedy access to innovative and recognised products and procedures.