Rooted in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with a global perspective, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) at Sun Yat-sen University has championed global eye health with an open stance over the past six decades. During its 60th anniversary week, the center actively established platforms for international dialogue, hosting a series of high-level global exchange events, including the Launch of the China-Africa Eye Health Partnership Initiative & the Forum on China-Africa Ophthalmic Cooperation.
Introduction
On the morning of November 10, 2025, the "Launch of the China-Africa Eye Health Partnership Initiative & the Forum on China-Africa Ophthalmic Cooperation" was held at ZOC’s Zhujiang New Town campus. Hosted by ZOC, the event aimed to implement the spirit of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and advance the construction of a China-Africa health community. Attendees included representatives from the National Health Commission of China, relevant departments of Guangdong Province, the World Health Organization (WHO), health ministries of several African countries, consulate-generals in Guangzhou, renowned African universities and research institutions, as well as social organizations and enterprises. Together, they witnessed this milestone and discussed in-depth collaboration in eye health between China and Africa.
01. Launch of the China-Africa Eye Health Partnership Initiative
The launch was hosted by Xie Wen, Vice Chair of the ZOC Council.
Yin Haiyan, Director of the Health Industry Promotion Department at the International Exchange and Cooperation Center, National Health Commission, comprehensively reviewed the 62-year history of China-Africa health collaboration. She noted that since 1963, when China dispatched its first medical team to Africa, cooperation has continuously deepened. To practically advance the China-Africa Health Partnership, the National Health Commission established the China-Africa Hospital Alliance in August this year, providing solid support for the initiative. She commended ZOC for its active progress in promoting China-Africa cooperation in eye health.
Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, outlined the major challenges in eye health across the continent. He highlighted that approximately 140 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live with vision impairment, impacting not only their quality of life but also regional socio-economic development. Dr. Janabi commended China’s approach of "teaching people to fish" (i.e., fostering self-reliance), emphasizing technology transfer as key to sustainable development. He expressed hope that deepened China-Africa cooperation would advance global eye health.
Deng Linfeng, Deputy Director of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, shared achievements in medical cooperation between Guangdong and African countries. He described the China-Africa Eye Health Partnership Initiative as both a practical step to implement FOCAC outcomes and a starting point to elevate China-Africa health collaboration. He reaffirmed Guangdong’s commitment, under national guidance, to support local medical institutions in actively participating in China-Africa health cooperation and contributing to the shared health community.
Mr. Bahatungire Rony, Commissioner in Charge of Clinical Services of Uganda’s Ministry of Health, outlined Uganda’s needs and opportunities in ophthalmology, particularly in teleconsultation technology, cataract surgery, and the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. He expressed hope for Uganda to become a key partner in China-Africa eye health collaboration.
Professor Lin Haotian, Director of ZOC, noted that 2025 marks ZOC’s 60th anniversary, with its international medical aid footprint spanning over ten countries across Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Under China’s broader Africa cooperation framework, ZOC will diligently fulfill its role in the partnership, translating plans into tangible outcomes to enhance eye health for people in China and Africa.
Professor Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Uganda, and Ms. Rose Bosire, Deputy Director of Public and Health Systems Programs at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, introduced their institutions’ strengths and expressed strong expectations for deeper collaboration.
Following these addresses, key guests jointly activated the launch mechanism, marking the official launch of the "China-Africa Eye Health Partnership Initiative."
02. Forum on China-Africa Ophthalmic Cooperation
The forum was moderated by Professor Liang Lingyi, Deputy Director of ZOC and Director of the Office for Blindness Prevention and Treatment.
Mr. Martin Taylor, World Health Organization Representative in China, delivered the concluding remarks for the seminar. He expressed his gratitude to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University for its outstanding contributions. As the only WHO Collaborating Centre for eye care and vision in China, ZOC has made significant impacts in global eye health, eye care cooperation between China and Africa, and ophthalmic initiatives within China. Mr. Taylor emphasized the critical importance of enhancing vision and quality of life through collaboration and of planning for long-term, sustainable capacity building.
Finally, Professor Lin Haotian delivered the concluding address for the conference. He stated that this meeting marks a significant deepening of the collaboration, transitioning from the "why" to the "how." Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center will join hands with all parties to fully advance the establishment of the China-Africa Joint Ophthalmic Medical Center. The goal is to strive for the realization of "managing major eye diseases within Africa," thereby making due contributions to enhancing the eye health and well-being of both Chinese and African people and to promoting the building of a global community of health for all.
03. On-site Visit
After the Forum, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi and his delegation visited and experienced ZOC’s independently developed second-generation smart mobile ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment platform, the "Huiyan Mobile Hospital". In-depth discussions were held on the platform’s application and cooperation prospects in Africa, marking a substantive step in China-Africa eye health collaboration.
Group Photo: WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Janabi with ZOC Director Lin Haotian, Deputy Director Liang Lingyi, and Dr. Xiao Wei in front of the Huiyan Mobile Hospital.
Leveraging its expertise in smart mobile diagnosis and treatment and public service experience, ZOC will will partner with African stakeholders to build sustainable eye health systems. Through full-cycle management—"screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up"—ZOC aims to enhance local capacity for autonomous eye care. Both sides will continue to promote technology transfer, talent development, and system co-building to collectively improve eye health services across Africa.
The official launch of the China-Africa Eye Health Partnership Initiative marks a new milestone in China-Africa eye health collaboration. It not only embodies the spirit of the FOCAC Beijing Summit but also demonstrates a shared commitment to building a health community. Through this partnership, ZOC and African partners will jointly advance sustainable eye health development in Africa, exploring innovative international medical cooperation models driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile ophthalmic technology, thereby contributing "ZOC's expertise and strength" to Africa’s eye health agenda.
