U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews delivered welcoming remarks today at the U.S.-China Advanced Medical Technology Symposium in Chongqing, China. The Symposium is a half-day event where government officials, academics, and industry leaders will discuss key issues in health and healthcare, such as women’s health, oncology, and non-communicable diseases. Chongqing is the second stop of the health care business development mission that Deputy Secretary Andrews is leading to China. The Deputy Secretary is joined in Chongqing by a delegation of representatives from 11 U.S. health care sector companies.

During his remarks, Deputy Secretary Andrews emphasized the need for synchronized collaboration between the two countries’ health care industries. He outlined the challenges that face both countries, and highlighted that greater economic cooperation between health care sectors must be part of the solution. Deputy Secretary Andrews urged the participates of the symposium to not only take advantage of the opportunities to build connections, but to also partner with cutting-edge U.S. health care technology firms to adequately address the rising need for primary care in China.

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

Ni hao. Thank you all for that warm welcome. This is my second visit to China this year. And while it is my first visit to Chongqing, I doubt it will be my last. The size and sophistication of your city is truly impressive. Back when I worked at Ford Motor Company, I often heard industry leaders talk about Chongqing. Now I know why so many call it the most important city in Western China.

Allow me to thank Vice Mayor Wu Gang for leading today’s opening ceremony. I also want to thank the local leaders who so kindly welcomed our delegation to Chongqing, including Deputy Director Xiong Lin of the Chongqing Commerce Commission; and Deputy Director Fu Zhongxue of the Chongqing Health and Family Planning Commission.

The United States and China already have an expansive commercial relationship. 

We are the largest economies on the planet. We drive more than a third of global economic output and generate nearly a fifth of all trade worldwide. It is in the best interests of both our countries to build vibrant, collaborative business relationships.

The Department of Commerce has an important role to play here. We are the lead U.S. Government agency focused on increasing trade and economic cooperation around the world. And we believe that some of the greatest opportunities to build new partnerships will come from subnational engagement – including with provinces. We see tremendous potential to increase our cooperation with China on health care, especially in fast-growing cities like Chongqing.

Joining me here today are 11 innovative American health care companies. All of them are industry leaders in diverse areas, from biotechnology and medical devices to hospital administration and health IT. While they specialize in many different areas, these firms share common goals. They all want to grow their business in China. They all want to serve Chinese patients. And they all want to help China achieve its health care reform goals.

In both the United States and China, we have implemented many reforms to improve access to affordable health care for consumers. Yet we continue to face many common challenges. Both our countries have increasing rates of chronic diseases. Both of our governments seek new strategies for promoting financial sustainability while encouraging innovation. And both of our nations have rapidly aging populations – which means that our doctors, hospitals, and health providers must prepare to meet the needs of older patients. Government alone cannot solve such vast challenges. For the United States and for China, greater economic cooperation between our health care sectors must be part of the solution. 

Today’s symposium focuses on four key health care issues. Our first session will feature experts on oncology and hematology. You will hear from American companies like Grifols, Varian, and PPTA. All three are driving innovation in new therapies and treatments for cancer and other deadly diseases that claim so many lives in both our countries.

Our second presentation will focus on women’s health and precision medicine. Inova is a global leader in the research, development and application of innovative personalized health therapies. And Clinical Innovations provides medical devices that improve safety during delivery and help shorten recovery time for new mothers. 

Our third session will focus on the treatment and management of chronic diseases.

You will hear from innovative companies like Edwards Lifesciences, which creates technologies that help treat heart disease and other cardiovascular illnesses. And health IT firms like InterSystems and Medidata Solutions, which can help you better manage data, deliver care, and reduce costs. 

Finally, our fourth session will focus on myopia, which continues to be one of China’s most prevalent health challenges. This presentation will feature Euclid Systems, a company whose contact lenses can help millions of children see clearly without having to rely on glasses for the rest of their lives. Can our delegation members please raise their hands?

Today’s symposium provides all of us with a rare and valuable opportunity. Following our presentations, several of our companies will be participating in business to business matchmaking sessions. For U.S. business leaders, these sessions promise new connections with providers and experts from Chongqing’s fast-growing health care sector.  And for Chongqing’s leaders, you will have the chance to explore innovative products and services from top U.S. firms. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the time we have together.

America’s health care industry is well-positioned to partner with Chongqing as you work to deliver world-class health care to the more than 28 million residents of your great city.           

In both China and the United States, the people, businesses, and leaders who work in health care share many common values and aspirations. We believe in the power of medicine to cure disease and save lives. We seek to provide high quality care at the best cost. And we want to take advantage of the latest technologies to deliver better health services and to further drive innovation.

The United States wants China to succeed. And we want to work more closely with provincial governments to advance your health care reform goals.  

If you are looking for a new medical device, a new drug therapy, or a new health-IT system, I encourage you to consider partnering with a U.S. firm. We fundamentally believe that China’s 1.3 billion citizens deserve access to the world’s latest therapies, effective treatments, and life-saving technologies. Put simply, through greater collaboration, we can improve health outcomes for both of our peoples. And together, we can drive innovation in health and medicine that benefit people around the world.

Our companies are excited to do business in Chongqing’s rapidly-modernizing and fast-growing health care sector. We have extraordinary opportunities to collaborate - but only if we work together to encourage competition and new commercial partnerships. We can start these efforts today at this symposium.

Together, let’s discuss recent trends in technology and medicine that can benefit both of our countries. Let’s build new relationships between American companies and hospitals right here in Chongqing. And let’s identify opportunities to create new business partnerships that promote growth and innovation in both of our nations. Together, we can provide our patients with better care and help people throughout China and the United States lead healthier, more productive lives. Thank you.