HHS Secretary Opens Multi-Day Visit to the People's Republic of China; Import Safety Tops Agenda

December 10, 2007 - HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt speaks to students at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. (Photo by Bruce Ross, HHS)

December 10, 2007 – U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Michael O. Leavitt today began his week-long visit to the People's Republic of China by interacting with business leaders and Chinese citizens and Government officials to emphasize the need for close cooperation between the two countries to ensure the safety of goods exported from China to the United States. Accompanying Secretary Leavitt on his trip is the Honorable Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., Commissioner of the HHS Food and Drug Administration.

Secretary Leavitt opened his day with a roundtable in the Chinese capital on the safety of food and drugs that brought together leaders from U.S. businesses that are operating in China. He followed with a policy address to the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing on the Bush Administration's Action Plan on Import Safety.

The Secretary spent the afternoon at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, where he observed practitioners in action with patients, and took questions from faculty and students after he delivered remarks. He also took part in a live "webchat" through chinadaily.com.cn, during which he answered queries from Chinese Internet users in real time; the interview marked the first occasion a U.S. cabinet official had participated in a web-based conversation with the public in China.

A meeting between Secretary Leavitt and Minister Li Changjiang of the Chinese General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine rounded out the day. The two focused on next steps the Chinese Government can take with agricultural and industrial producers to heighten the confidence of American consumers in the safety of food and goods produced in China.

On December 11, 2007, Secretary Leavitt will sign two Memoranda of Agreement with the Chinese Government, one on the safety of food and feed, and one on the safety of drugs and medical devices, before he joins U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other Cabinet colleagues for the third session under the United States-China Strategic Economic Dialogue.

For more information:

• Photo Gallery of HHS Secretary Multi-Day Visit to the People's Republic of China
• Q&A: US health secretary interviewed (CHINAdaily.com.cn) 
• Webcast: Q&A: US health secretary interviewed (CHINAdaily.com.cn) 

Last revised: December 11, 2007