On June 9, 2025, the Launching Ceremony for the China India Joint Medical Mission VII was held in Guiyang, Guizhou Province. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China India Friendship Association, and organized by the Guizhou Provincial People's Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries and the Guizhou Provincial Health Commission. Sang Weiliang, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Guizhou Province, attended the launching ceremony. Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Tao Pingsheng, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guizhou Province and Executive Vice President of the Guizhou Provincial People's Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries; YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Secretary-General of the India China Friendship Association, and medical representatives from both countries, delivered remarks. Sumangala Borkar, niece of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis and a representative of the Kotnis family, delivered a video message. Approximately 50 participants, including representatives from Guizhou's healthcare and media sectors, as well as Indian medical students studying in Guizhou, attended the launching ceremony.
Vice President Yuan Mindao noted that, the relaunch of the China India Joint Medical Mission VII project following the COVID-19 pandemic carries particular significance, as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India. Facing a fluid and turbulent world, he called on both sides to act in line with the important consensus reached by the leaders of two countries, remain true to the original aspirations of establishing diplomatic relations, and jointly work toward the future. It is important that we strengthen and expand the China India Joint Medical Mission Project and carry forward the internationalist spirit of Dwarkanath Kotnis and the Indian Medical Mission to China, thereby injecting fresh momentum into China-India cultural exchanges and contributing positive energy to the development of bilateral relations.
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy reviewed the India China Friendship Association's long-standing participation in the China India Joint Medical Mission Project and highly commended the CPAFFC's efforts to revive the program post-pandemic. He reaffirmed the India China Friendship Association's commitment to promoting friendship with China, upholding the spirit of internationalism, and contributing to regional and global peace and development.
In her heartfelt video address, Sumangala Borkar recalled the contributions of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis and the Indian Medical Mission during China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression, and expressed her family's deep appreciation for the enduring respect and remembrance shown by the Chinese government and its people. She expressed hope that Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis' internationalist spirit continue to inspire lasting friendship between the peoples of China and India for generations to come.
Medical representatives from both countries pledged to uphold Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis' internationalist spirit and carry out the noble mission of the China India Joint Medical Mission with dedication and responsibility, together opening a new chapter in China-India people-to-people friendship.
(Top: Vice Chairman Sang Weiliang and Vice President Yuan Mindao present the flag to the China India Joint Medical Mission; Bottom: Group photo of key attendees at the launching ceremony)
Initiated in 2008 by the CPAFFC and the China India Friendship Association, the China India Joint Medical Mission Project aims to carry forward the internationalist spirit of the Indian Medical Mission to China, uphold the noble character of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis, and enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples. The China India Joint Medical Mission VII will travel to Shibing County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, where it will provide free medical consultations, donate medicines, and engage in exchanges with local hospitals, universities, and businesses.
