To further strengthen collaboration between Macao and the international community regarding emergency healthcare systems and enhance public health emergency response capacity, the Health Bureau and the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) (Forum Macao) jointly organized the “Exchange Meeting on Capacity Building of Emergency Medical Teams” today (October 31). The meeting, themed “Taking Health Security as a Starting Point for Cooperation with the World Health Organization and Portuguese-Speaking Partners – Preliminary Exchange”, featured a presentation on the work experience of the China International Emergency Medical Team (Macao) and discussions on capacity building, training, and simulation exercises for health emergencies.

More than 80 representatives from government departments, Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), hospitals, and associations attended the meeting, including Lo Iek Long, Director of the Health Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Ji Xianzheng, Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; Counsellor Guo Xiaofeng, Director of the General Affairs Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR;  Liu Rui, Deputy Division Chief of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; António Lei, Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; Lu Hong, Advisor to the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Chan Weng Wa, Deputy Director of the Health Bureau; Tai Wa Hou, Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau; Li Xiaohui, Coordinator of the Executive Office of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; and O Leong, Head of the International Affairs Working Group of the Health Bureau.

During the exchange meeting, Director Lo Iek Long stated in his address that, with the support of the Central Government, the leadership of the SAR Government, and the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, Macao’s healthcare sector has accelerated its development and the overall health of residents has continuously improved over the past 26 years since Macao’s return to the motherland. The SAR Government has actively responded to the national Belt and Road Initiative by collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine (Macao), with the aim of promoting the global dissemination of traditional Chinese medicine. Additionally, the SAR Government has engaged in exchanges and cooperation with Belt and Road countries and participated in the WHO Medical Institution Pairing Program to improve the medical service quality in Timor-Leste while deepening collaboration with PSCs in the healthcare sector.

He added that the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR have long supported the SAR Government in optimizing its public health and emergency medical systems through comprehensive coordination. In 2015, the WHO launched a global registration and accreditation system for emergency medical teams (EMTs). These teams consist of highly trained healthcare professionals capable of rapid deployment, immediate on-site services, and self-sustained operations without external support. Under the leadership of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, with guidance from the WHO and coordination from the SAR Government, the Health Bureau has continuously improved relevant infrastructure. Macao began preparing for EMT technical standard certification in 2018, and completed the necessary training and preliminary tasks in less than a year. Following a comprehensive review and assessment by the WHO in 2019, the China International Emergency Medical Team (Macao) became China’s fifth and the world’s 25th certified EMT. The team is self-sufficient and capable of independently carrying out a 14-day deployment, which can safeguard residents’ lives during local emergencies and provide emergency medical support to other regions.

Deputy Secretary-General António Lei noted that the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Exchange Centre for Epidemic Prevention was inaugurated at Forum Macao in April 2022. The center is a vital platform that provides technical support, training, and the dissemination of epidemic prevention information to PSCs. At the 6th Ministerial Conference, participating countries unanimously recognized the center’s positive role in epidemic control. He emphasized that emergency medical capacity building and epidemic prevention efforts are critical systemic undertakings requiring collaboration among governments, medical institutions, research organizations, and all sectors of society. By leveraging its historical and cultural ties with PSCs, Macao can rapidly and accurately deliver China’s public health technologies and resources, thereby bolstering regional emergency medical and epidemic prevention capabilities and fostering a new framework of cooperation grounded in mutual trust, mutual benefit, and sustainability.

Head O Leong provided a detailed briefing on the China International Emergency Medical Team (Macao)’s concept of regional capacity-building cooperation, elaborating on its philosophy and framework of values for international collaboration. He also introduced the background of the collaboration between the China International Emergency Medical Team (Macao) and the WHO. Additionally, he presented Macao’s plan to advance the first phase of capacity-building projects in Africa, including PSCs, through the WHO. Participants then discussed topics including capacity building, training, and simulation exercises for health emergencies.

Since its establishment, the China International Emergency Medical Team (Macao) has played an active role in international public health emergency response efforts. In 2020, the team was deployed to Africa to combat the novel coronavirus, and in 2025, it traveled to Myanmar to conduct post-earthquake medical technology exchanges. For these efforts, the team earned appreciation and recognition from the local government. These missions have helped the team enhance its practical skills and expand its international experience. They have also demonstrated the international caliber of Macao’s medical professionals and solidified the foundation of mutual trust in international medical cooperation. Guided by China’s Global Governance Initiative and the vision of building a global community of health for all, Macao will leverage its unique advantages of “one country, two systems” and its role as a platform connecting mainland China with the rest of the world to actively integrate into the national development landscape. Macao will also collaborate with sovereign states and the WHO to deepen international cooperation in health emergencies and jointly build a more resilient global emergency medical network. Meanwhile, Macao will contribute to refining China’s opening-up mechanism, align itself with major national strategies, and offer timely support whenever crises arise in Macao, mainland China, and the international community.