Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program Featured at the Third High-Level Meeting of the Global Shared Development Action Forum

On April 22, 2026, the Third High-Level Meeting of the Global Shared Development Action Forum was held at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.

The meeting, hosted by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, was themed “Taking Action to Build a Global Community for Development.” Leaders and representatives from more than 140 countries, international organizations, and regional institutions attended the event. Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital) was invited to participate in the conference.

Vice President Xu Liangyou of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital attended the meeting on behalf of the hospital.

In the promotional video titled “Global Development Initiative: Vision and Action,” played during the opening ceremony, the Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program (Heart Sapling Program) initiated by Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital was featured as one of the representative cases demonstrating the implementation of the Global Development Initiative. The program highlighted the active participation of Chinese medical institutions in global health cooperation and support for the Global Development Initiative.

In July 2024, the Heart Sapling Program was selected for the Achievement List of the “Action Plan for Building a Shared Future” at the Second High-Level Meeting of the Global Shared Development Action Forum. Its appearance once again in the promotional video of the third meeting further demonstrated the program’s practical achievements and exemplary significance.    

Since its official launch in April 2023, the Heart Sapling Program has continuously deepened international cooperation. Relying on the high-level cardiovascular specialty platform and mentor team of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, the program systematically trains young cardiovascular specialists from countries participating in the “Group of Friends” of the Global Development Initiative through theoretical teaching, clinical practice, case discussions, and academic exchanges.

To date, the program has trained 37 visiting scholars from 16 countries. After returning to their home countries, trainees apply the knowledge, technologies, and experience gained in China to local clinical practice, improving the capabilities of their hospitals and medical teams while promoting the broader sharing of high-quality healthcare resources across the Global South.

From being selected for the achievement list of the second high-level meeting to being featured as a representative case in the promotional video of the third meeting, the development of the Heart Sapling Program reflects the continuous advancement of the project from practical implementation to international demonstration. It also showcases Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital’s commitment to leveraging its specialty strengths, deepening international cooperation, and contributing to the Global Development Initiative.

Looking ahead, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital will continue relying on the Heart Sapling Program to strengthen international medical talent cultivation and healthcare cooperation, promote broader sharing of high-quality medical capabilities, and contribute further to global health cooperation and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative.