Abstract
BackgroundChina launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aiming to develop a mutually-beneficial, sustainable trade model with partner countries. The processes of international health exchanges are key parts of how this model can be sustained into the future. This paper aims to contribute to broader understanding by exploring various intentions, needs, advantages and barriers of BRI countries and then define ways China can achieve better health cooperation.MethodsIn this study, a survey questionnaire was developed to investigate the perspectives of 60 international experts from 29 BRI countries. The survey was distributed and collected during the “Belt and Road High-level Meeting for Health Cooperation”, held in Beijing in August 2017. The data were entered into EpiData 3.0 by two team members respectively and analyzed with SPSS22.0.ResultsAltogether 58 valid questionnaires were obtained. More than 93% of participants showed their willingness to be part of BRI health cooperation. Frist, three key areas were identified, which are broadly defined as BRI country “needs”: (1) “Develop health industries”; (2) “Prevent and control infectious diseases”; and (3) “Provide health services”. Second, three “advantages” of participating in BRI Health Cooperation were found: (1) “The establishment of a long-term partnership”; (2) “Quality investment and financing system”; and (3) “The convenience of cooperation”. Third, two main cross-cultural “barriers” for cooperation were encountered: (1) “Cultural differences”; and (2) “Lack of communication platforms”.ConclusionIn this study, we have identified priority fields that China can collaborate with BRI countries and show its leadership. It is suggested that successful health cooperation between China and other BRI countries should focus on maximizing present health-industry partnerships, investment and financing, as well as overcoming cultural and communication barriers.
Highlights
The Belt and Road (B&R) is the abbreviation of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the twenty-first Century Maritime Silk Road
In 2013, Chinese President Xi first put forward the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aimed to develop cooperative partnerships with countries along the Belt and Road, and jointly build a community of interests, destiny and responsibility
Cultural differences are considered to be a factor in negative trade flow outcomes [22]. These results suggest that in international health exchanges, cultural differences in different countries may become a major barrier for cooperation
Summary
The Belt and Road (B&R) is the abbreviation of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the twenty-first Century Maritime Silk Road. BRI Health Cooperation is best illustrated by China’s “Three-Year Plan for the Implementation of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Health Exchange and Cooperation (2015-2017)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Implementation Plan”). This plan, shifting from a period of infancy to a more mature international presence, has already implemented 41 major projects and activities, with positive commercial and reputation outcomes [1, 2]. This paper aims to contribute to broader understanding by exploring various intentions, needs, advantages and barriers of BRI countries and define ways China can achieve better health cooperation
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