On the morning of September 3, the Training Workshop for Improving the Surgical Competence of Core Ophthalmologists in Southern Xinjiang by Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University, together with the inauguration ceremony of the Xinjiang Branch of Sun Yat-sen University International Medical Center of Ophthalmology, was held at the National Regional Medical Center. The event was attended and witnessed by leaders from Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Health Commission, Guangdong Frontier Command for Aiding Xinjiang, Kashi Prefectural Administrative Office, Guangdong Provincial Health Commission, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of SYSU, Kashi Prefectural Health Commission, the First People's Hospital of Kashi, and partner Huawei, as well as ZOC experts, grassroots ophthalmologists in Kashi, and students from the ZOC "Sanxiaxiang" practice team, marking a significant moment that embodies the profound friendship between Guangdong and Xinjiang. The ceremony was hosted by Li Qiang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.
Bearing the Nation's Grand Interests in Mind and Fulfilling the Mission of Aiding Xinjiang
ZOC has always regarded serving national strategies and safeguarding the eye health of people in border regions as a lofty mission, continuously channeling high-quality ophthalmic medical resources to where the country needs them most. Supported and guided by SYSU, the Xinjiang Health Commission, the Guangdong Frontier Command for Aiding Xinjiang, the Guangdong Health Commission, and other superior departments, the establishment of the Xinjiang Branch is another solid step by ZOC in responding to the national call, deepening medical aid to Xinjiang, and implementing the "Healthy China" strategy.
Professor Lin Haotian, President of ZOC, delivered a special report on the construction background, functional positioning, and development plan of the Xinjiang Branch. He pointed out that leveraging the strong capabilities of the SYSU International Medical Center of Ophthalmology, the branch will build a comprehensive platform integrating clinical diagnosis and treatment enhancement, cutting-edge research, key talent cultivation, advanced technology promotion, and international medical cooperation. Its core mission focuses on addressing the critical shortage of ophthalmic medical resources in Southern Xinjiang and across the autonomous region, achieving a fundamental transformation from merely "infusing blood" (providing direct aid) to "generating blood" (building self-sustaining capacity).
Lin Haotian introduced that ZOC will fully apply cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), 5G communication, and surgical robots, implementing solutions such as the "Wisdom Eye Mobile Hospital," the ophthalmic large language model "ChatZOC," high-precision ophthalmic surgical robots, the "Eye Care Map," and the "Flying Eye Hospital" at the branch. This aims to break through the "last mile" in screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye diseases in border areas, allowing high-quality ophthalmic services to reach every corner north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.
Over a Decade of Relay, Writing a Chapter of Great Compassion
Fourteen years of deep dedication and meticulous work reflect the profound bond between Guangdong and Xinjiang. Since 2011, ZOC has actively responded to the call for "group-style" medical aid to Xinjiang, successively selecting over twenty elite ophthalmologists who have taken turns serving in Kashi, Urumqi, and other locations. They not only left their superb medical skills in the border regions but also integrated advanced concepts and management experience into local practices, sowing seeds of hope for Xinjiang's ophthalmology cause.
The "Xinjiang Bright Journey" project has become the warmest beam of light in ZOC's aid history. Expert teams have ventured deep into various counties and cities of Kashi and divisions of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, conducting large-scale eye disease screening and prevention efforts amidst sandstorms and scorching sun. From the snowy plateaus to desert oases, their footprints cover Southern Xinjiang, delivering clear vision to tens of thousands of border residents and enabling numerous patients to see their loved ones' smiles again.
Guangdong-Xinjiang Bright Journey Project: 3,000 Surgeries Reflect the Deep Friendship Like Pomegranate Seeds
In August 2023, the "Guangdong-Xinjiang Bright Journey" project was vigorously advanced with ZOC serving as the leading institution and backbone force. Over three years, the medical team focused on preventing and treating complex eye diseases caused by high altitude and strong ultraviolet radiation, carrying out large-scale screening and treatment for blinding eye diseases, surgical training, and technical guidance across Kashi's cities and counties. To date, the team has safely and efficiently completed over 3,000 cataract screenings and sight-restoring surgeries, creating remarkable "Guangdong Speed" and "SYSU Quality." Each successful surgery is a testament to the deep friendship between Guangdong and Xinjiang, a vivid portrayal of "clinging together as closely as pomegranate seeds," and embodies ZOC's commitment to fulfilling national strategies and safeguarding vision and health, allowing the grand blueprint of "Healthy China" to take root and benefit the people in the border regions.
From August 30 to September 5, 2025, during the branch's inauguration period, ZOC organized young students to carry out a "Sanxiaxiang" social practice activity in Kashi, Xinjiang, themed "Yue-Ka (Guangdong-Kashi) Bright Journey." The team focused on high-incidence eye diseases like cataracts caused by high altitude and strong UV radiation in Kashi. Using a 5G-enabled smart ophthalmic mobile clinic, they provided professional screening for about 500 teachers and students from Shufu County's First Middle School, Third Middle School, and Third Primary School, also distributing eye drops and guiding the use of the ChatZOC ophthalmic large language model. Within just a few days, the practice group and local teachers and students built deep bonds, integrating the spirit of ethnic unity into every interaction.
Technology Empowers Border Areas, Smart Healthcare Leads the Way
The inauguration of the Xinjiang Branch marks the accelerated integration of ophthalmic "new quality productive forces" in Southern Xinjiang. The center is committed to building a "New Quality Productive Forces Demonstration Zone," promoting the transition of AI, 5G, and robotics technologies from the lab to the clinical front lines in border areas.
AI Screening Cracks Resource Constraints: The ophthalmology AI screening system independently developed by Professor Lin Haotian's team at ZOC has been pioneeringly applied locally, significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of grassroots eye disease screening and effectively alleviating the pressure from the shortage of specialist doctors.
5G Connectivity Bridges Time and Distance: With support from tech companies like Huawei and Weimo, AI-based portable ophthalmic devices and high-precision ophthalmic surgical robots are accelerating their deployment. In August 2023, the 5G-enabled smart ophthalmic mobile clinic reached Kashi's villages, towns, and border outposts, delivering "expert-level" screening services from tertiary hospitals to people's doorsteps, achieving the goal of "letting equipment travel more so people travel less."
Innovative Models Restructure Diagnosis & Treatment Systems: The "Eye Care Map" dynamically guides resource allocation; the "ChatZOC" intelligent platform provides professional support; the "Wisdom Eye Mobile Hospital" and the future concept of a " Flying Eye Hospital” will build an intelligent eye health service network featuring air-ground coordination and comprehensive coverage.
Building on a New Starting Point, Radiating to Central Asia to Jointly Depict the "Xinjiang" Future
The launch of the Xinjiang Branch represents a milestone leap in aid work for Xinjiang. It is not only a key move by ZOC in implementing the national regional medical center construction task but also a bridgehead for serving the "Belt and Road" Initiative and expanding international medical cooperation.
Moving forward, the Xinjiang Branch will rely on the strong platform of the National Regional Medical Center and leverage Kashi's unique geographical advantages, committed to realizing the following visions:
1. Build a Regional Ophthalmology Highland: Continuously enhance local ophthalmic diagnosis, treatment, and research capabilities in Xinjiang, constructing a clinical center, research hub, and talent base radiating across the greater Northwest. By building core facilities like ophthalmic microsurgery training areas, systematically improve the surgical skills and clinical diagnostic levels of grassroots doctors, significantly enhancing ophthalmology medical service capabilities in the Northwest.
2. Expand International Medical Cooperation: Actively undertake national medical aid training tasks for foreign countries, cultivate high-end ophthalmology talents for Central Asia and Belt and Road countries, exporting "Guangdong Wisdom" and "China Solutions." Under the coordination of the Guangdong Frontier Command for Aiding Xinjiang, combine the strengths of ZOC and the First People's Hospital of Kashi to build the branch into a high-end ophthalmic training and clinical research base serving the Belt and Road Initiative.
3. Promote Advanced Technology Application & Model Innovation: Dedicated to promoting the application and transformation of new quality productive forces like ophthalmic AI and 5G remote diagnosis/treatment in Xinjiang. Explore innovative service models like the "Flying Eye Hospital" to effectively channel top-tier medical resources to more remote border and neighboring regions, practically solving disease treatment challenges for the populace. Accelerate the promotion and popularization of advanced technologies through platforms like the New Quality Productive Forces Demonstration Zone.
4. Serve Public Health & Healthy China: Actively participate in regional eye disease screening, prevention, and public health projects, focusing on reducing the incidence and blindness rate of blinding eye diseases like fundus diseases, and improving residents' eye health levels. Through the trinity construction of strengthening eye disease research, serving public health, and cultivating high-end talent, significantly enhance the core competitiveness and international influence of China's eye disease prevention and treatment technology, making Xinjiang's contribution to serving the major national strategic needs of "Healthy China."
From the banks of the Pearl River to the foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, from the lights of Guangzhou to the bright sun of Kashi, the commitment and innovation of the ZOC team, spanning vast distances, are transforming into a powerful force guarding vision. They are working hand-in-hand with all sectors to jointly chart a "visible" path to happiness.
