The 18th Sino-Luso International Medical Forum was successfully wrapped up over the weekend. Indeed, the timing of our Beijing Forum coincided with the official visit of Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva to China. It underscored Macau’s role as a bridge between China and the Portuguese-speaking world.

Likewise in the news with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, President Silva agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the Portuguese-speaking world. It is truly an honour for our Macau based medical forum to debut here in Beijing.

When we began these medical training seminars in May 2011, we could not have imagined that we would be able to come to Beijing. On behalf of the Faculty of Health Sciences, MUST, we are grateful to all of the doctors and medical professionals who have come together over the years to present their scientific findings and build this forum.

Being based in Macau we have a shared cultural heritage with the Portuguese speaking world. Enhancing this friendship with scientific exchanges in medicine is one of true strengths that we are proud to bring to Beijing.

Indeed, over 27 medical professionals from around the world were with our delegation to present to over 600 medical experts in attendance.

Presenters include Prof. Cristina Fontes, Minister of Health from Cape Verde, Dr. Roberto Avila, President of the Federal of Council of Medicine from Brazil, Dr. Andre Jose Ribeiro, President of the East Regional Council of the Angolan Medical Association, Dr. Jose Manuel Silva, President of Portuguese Medical Association, Dr. Vitor Manuel Ribeiro, Editor of the Portuguese Journal of Surgery. The World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development Director, Dr. Isabel Mendes.

We are proud that this debut includes the strong support from China's National Health and Family Commission (NHFPC), formerly the Ministry of Health. Vice-minister Chen Xiao Hong greeted our medical professionals and diplomatic guests from the Portuguese speaking countries, and the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The Vice-minister Chen commented during the opening ceremony, “We fully support the Sino-Luso International Medical Forum’s work in bringing together so many doctors and nurses from around the world. We hope it continues well into the future and brings better medicine to us all.”

We also warmly thank the over three million members strong Chinese Medical Doctors Association, The Peking University People Hospital, the General Hospital of the Air Force of PLA, the NHFPC's Human Resources Development Center for their partnership and support.

Our topic of discussion in workshops, lectures, seminars, and MOU signings with Brazil and Portugal are something highly pertinent. Titled, "Medical Errors in Surgery and Simulation Training” we were exploring the latest technological and clinic advances in Beijing.