STORY: Chinese doctors forge enduring friendship in Africa with healing touch
DATELINE: July 20, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:54
LOCATION: CHANGSHA, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST: (Source: National Health Commission of China)
1. various of photos of China's first medical team to Algeria
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG YOUMING, Former member of China's first medical aid team to Africa
3. various of photos of Zhang Youming, former member of China's first medical aid team to Africa
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG YOUMING, Former member of China's first medical aid team to Africa
5. various of photos of Chinese doctors in Algeria
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LIU BAOPING, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ZHENG HONG, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): TENG ZHAOYU, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
9. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): LI YUN, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
10. SOUNDBITE 7 (Arabic): HABBICHE BOUABDELLAH, Director of the public hospital of Ain Defla, Algeria
11. various of Chinese doctors helping local patients
12. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): LUO KAIZHONG, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
13. SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): ZHANG LEIYI, Member of China's medical aid team to Africa
14. SOUNDBITE 10 (Chinese): LI YUN, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
 
STORYLINE
 
This year marks the 60th anniversary since China's first medical aid team was dispatched to Africa.
 
China sent its first medical team to Algeria in 1963.
 
Since then, successive Chinese medical personnel have been working in the continent, providing much-needed medical aid and services to local people.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHANG YOUMING, Former member of China's first medical aid team to Africa
"Our country hadn't sent a medical team overseas prior to that. We were the first such medical team."
 
Zhang, a retired doctor from China's Hunan Province, is a pioneering member of the country's first medical aid team to Algeria.
 
During her tenure, she performed nearly 1,000 surgeries, providing invaluable assistance in safely delivering countless African children into the world.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG YOUMING, Former member of China's first medical aid team to Africa
"When we were in Algeria, we worked during the day and studied at night. One of the patients had difficulty giving birth, as the baby was too large. So I came to her assistance, and she delivered the baby safely. After that, she told me that she wanted to name the baby 'Chinese.'"
 
Over the past six decades, despite facing numerous difficulties and challenges, Chinese doctors have persevered in their efforts to save lives, treat illnesses, forge new friendships, and promote goodwill across the continent.
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LIU BAOPING, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"I'm a pediatrician. I joined the Chinese medical team to Sierra Leone 42 years ago. Each day, each one of us saw at least 50 outpatients. They said, 'First, we believe in God; second, we believe in doctors!'"
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ZHENG HONG, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"I joined China's medical aid team to Zimbabwe. I'm an anesthesiologist. At that time, I rescued a pregnant woman in a very urgent situation, and because of my efforts, both the mother and baby turned out to be safe. Her family was so grateful and named the baby after me."
 
SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): TENG ZHAOYU, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"(I joined the 18th) Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone. At that time, there were sporadic outbreaks of Ebola. We were appointed to take on the task despite the danger. We trained more than 40 medical workers, who spread the knowledge to over 500 people. Almost all of them could handle the situation independently."
 
SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): LI YUN, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"Our happiest moment was when we removed the gauze bandage, many people cried, some jumped in excitement and some cheered. The patients would touch us in the face, hug us, and they sang and danced for us. That was a truly unforgettable experience."
 
The Chinese doctors' commitment, expertise, and sense of duty, have earned them a reputation as the most welcome guests on the African continent.
 
SOUNDBITE 7 (Arabic): HABBICHE BOUABDELLAH, Director of the public hospital of Ain Defla, Algeria
"The Chinese medical team, which came to the province of Ain Defla, has made a significant contribution to providing good healthcare services to our patients, especially in Obstetrics and Gynecology. We consider Chinese people our brothers and friends."
 
As China and Africa strive to build a community with a shared future in the new era, the Chinese doctors serving on aid missions in Africa have made their contributions to the cause.
 
SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): LUO KAIZHONG, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"Medical care transcends national boundaries. We'll stick to the fundamental spirit of persisting in providing medical aid to other countries, continuously make contributions to local health care development and contribute to the building of a global community of health for all."
 
SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): ZHANG LEIYI, Member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"The experience of working in Africa has made me more convinced that the value of life lies in dedication."
 
SOUNDBITE 10 (Chinese): LI YUN, Former member of China's medical aid team to Africa
"The more we go abroad, the more patriotic we've become. Living in a strong, prosperous and loving country, is a most fortunate thing."
 
Over the past 60 years, China has dispatched around 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions, providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments for local people.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Changsha, China.
(XHTV)